Former NBA head coach Tyrone Corbin is buying into Miles Bridges as the kind of addition that can tilt Phoenix’s season.
With the Suns set to open the regular season after a 1-4 preseason, Corbin said in an interview with Kyle Odegard of NEXTPredict that Bridges could become the team’s defining extra piece alongside Devin Booker.
“Miles Bridges is going to be great. Miles Bridges is way better than people give him credit for. He’s going to have a huge impact on the team.”
Phoenix brought in Bridges in the offseason, sending Grayson Allen, Royce O'Neale and a 2033 first-round pick to Charlotte. The deal gave the Suns another proven scorer as they try to build on last season’s playoff trip under second-year coach Jordan Ott.
Bridges, 28, arrives with a track record of production from his seven seasons with the Hornets. He has made a living as a versatile offensive weapon, scoring around the rim, attacking downhill and stretching defenses out to the arc.
In the 2025-26 season, Bridges averaged 17.1 points, 5.8 rebounds and 3.2 assists while shooting 46% from the field and 33.3% from 3-point range in 77 games. His biggest scoring year came in 2023-24, when he put up a career-best 21 points, along with 7.3 rebounds and 3.3 assists, while shooting 46.2% overall and 34.9% from deep in 69 games.
That kind of production is exactly why Corbin sees Bridges as a potential difference-maker for a Suns team trying to elbow its way into the Western Conference race.
He also pointed to Booker, saying the five-time All-Star is better prepared now to understand what it takes to chase a title.
“Booker is mature now. He’s understanding more every year with these changes what it takes to have a chance to win.
He’s going to get his numbers. He’s that kind of offensive skill guy.
To bring in Miles Bridges and these other pieces, I think it gives them a chance to be a good team.”
Booker remains the center of the offense after another productive season in 2025-26, and Phoenix’s roster now also includes Dillon Brooks as Ott looks to fit the pieces together.
The Suns made a jump from 36-46 in 2024-25 to 45-437 last season, reached the playoffs through the Play-In Tournament and then got swept in the first round by the Oklahoma City Thunder. Even with that ending, Corbin said he thinks the team took a step forward.
“They did a good job last year.They’re a team that’s going to make some noise in the Western Conference, in my opinion.”
Phoenix finished preseason with Friday’s 119-116 loss to the Utah Jazz. The Suns open the 2026-27 regular season Wednesday, Oct. 21, on the road against the Portland Trail Blazers at 7 p.m. PT.
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