When Mikal Bridges was drafted by the Philadelphia 76ers in 2018, it was one of the better feel-good stories at the time. After all, Bridges' mom works for the Sixers as the Vice President of Human Resources and the selection served as some sort of reunion for them. Unfortunately, moments later, the youngster was traded to the Phoenix Suns.
The Sixers gave up Bridges for Zhaire Smith (the 16th overall pick in the said draft) and a 2021 first rounder later used in the deal to acquire Tobias Harris from the Los Angeles Clippers.
While Bridges would have certainly loved to play for the Sixers and be close to his mom, it surely worked for the best as he is now in the Western Conference Finals with the Suns. As for Philly, the team has failed to advance once again out East after Joel Embiid and Co. were sent packing by the Atlanta Hawks in the second round.
Reflecting on the trade, Bridges couldn't be more thankful to be with the Suns.
“Everything happens for a reason. You just wouldn't know at that point what was happening… Three years later, down the line, I'm just blessed, happy I'm here to be in the position I'm in right now, and just keep winning,” Bridges said, per Tomer Azarly of ClutchPoints.
Mikal Bridges is contributing greatly for the Suns, too, and Phoenix is definitely ecstatic to have traded for him back in 2018. In the 2021 playoffs so far, he is averaging 11.7 points, 4.0 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.2 steals per game as a starter.
It is worth wondering how Bridges would have grown and performed for the Sixers had the team not traded for him, especially since he is establishing himself as a solid two-way player. Then again, it is more than likely Philly would have traded him to a different team in their bid to build a playoff contender.
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