The 2024 NBA Trade Deadline is less than two weeks away, so it’s no surprise that Phoenix Suns trade rumors are heating up.

We’ve already covered the basics fans need to know in our Suns trade deadline primer, as well as multiple trade scenarios for Phoenix to consider, but as always, this time of year conjures up buzz. Here’s the latest we’re hearing about the Suns in regard to Miles Bridges, Royce O’Neale, Nick Richards and the buyout market.

Miles Bridges at the forefront of Suns trade rumors

[NOTE: One section of a trade rumors article cannot adequately cover such a complicated and ugly subject as domestic violence. That Miles Bridges conversation is vital, and it’s far more important than any on-court analysis we could provide here, so rest assured, that column is coming tomorrow. But until then, we’re strictly covering trade rumors before diving into those feelings fully, in order to give that discussion the proper time and attention it deserves.]

As first reported on the PHNX Suns Podcast and then again in PHNX’s massive trade scenarios article earlier this week, the Suns’ interest in Miles Bridges is very real. It’s since been confirmed by multiple other outlets, and where there’s this much smoke, there’s typically fire.

The question is whether Phoenix is ready to be burned by the inevitable PR nightmare that comes with trading for a player who’s been charged with felony domestic violence and child abuse.

A source close to the situation described the Suns as feeling very confident they’d be able to get a deal for Bridges across the finish line. Financially speaking, Bridges’ $7.9 million contract would be easy to match by sending Charlotte a combination of Nassir Little’s $6.3 million salary and a veteran minimum player like Chimezie Metu ($2.3 million), Yuta Watanabe ($2.3 million) or Bol Bol ($2.2 million).

Bridges is averaging 20.8 points and 7.1 rebounds per game this season while shooting 45.5 percent from the floor and 35.5 percent from 3. Little and a vet minimum player would likely feel like an underwhelming on-court return from Charlotte’s perspective, but Bridges’ value has never been lower, and his ability to veto a trade grants him the ability to virtually choose his destination.

Considering the Suns have Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal, as well as a need for wings who can play the 3 and the 4, it’s not surprising Phoenix would be one of Bridges’ desired landing spots. There is mutual interest there, but the Suns are concurrently pursuing other deals.

The reason for this is twofold: Phoenix is undoubtedly cognizant of the significant blowback they’d receive if they traded for Bridges, and they’re currently riding high on a seven-game win streak. The Suns are figuring things out, and they can avoid alienating half the fanbase by pursuing other deals elsewhere first, rather than trading for such a contentious presence who would significantly alter the discourse and mood around the organization.

In other words, the urgency to make a move for Bridges isn’t as significant while the team is stringing together wins and there are other options on the table to consider.

Bridges has an upcoming court date on Feb. 20 for violating the terms of his domestic violence protection order, as well as misdemeanor child abuse and injury to personal property. That criminal summons alleges that Bridges threatened his ex-girlfriend, the mother of his children, by throwing pool balls at her car while his children were inside the car.

Royce O’Neale another relevant name

In terms of alternative options Phoenix could pursue before falling back on a Miles Bridges trade, Royce O’Neale is a significant one. A source told PHNX Sports that, while the Brooklyn Nets’ asking price for Dorian Finney-Smith is too high, O’Neale could be a more realistic option.

O’Neale is a name we mentioned in our 30 trade scenarios before, and so far this season, he’s averaging 7.0 points and 4.6 rebounds in 24.5 minutes per game. The 30-year-old wing is only shooting 37.6 percent from the field, but the Suns wouldn’t need him to score; they’d need his 3-and-D skill-set as a guy who can take on primary defensive assignments and knock down open 3s.

O’Neale has made 35.4 percent of his triples this year, but he’s a career 38 percent shooter from beyond the arc, and playing with Phoenix’s Big 3 would undoubtedly increase the number of open looks he’d receive on a night-to-night basis. His best days as a lockdown defensive wing are probably behind him, but he brings some size, physicality and experience on that end.

In terms of alternative options Phoenix could pursue before falling back on a Miles Bridges trade, Royce O’Neale is a significant one. A source told PHNX Sports that, while the Brooklyn Nets’ asking price for Dorian Finney-Smith is too high, O’Neale could be a more realistic option.

O’Neale is a name we mentioned in our 30 trade scenarios before, and so far this season, he’s averaging 7.0 points and 4.6 rebounds in 24.5 minutes per game. The 30-year-old wing is only shooting 37.6 percent from the field, but the Suns wouldn’t need him to score; they’d need his 3-and-D skill-set as a guy who can take on primary defensive assignments and knock down open 3s.

O’Neale has made 35.4 percent of his triples this year, but he’s a career 38 percent shooter from beyond the arc, and playing with Phoenix’s Big 3 would undoubtedly increase the number of open looks he’d receive on a night-to-night basis. His best days as a lockdown defensive wing are probably behind him, but he brings some size, physicality and experience on that end.