Every NBA player without a no-trade clause knows there’s always a chance that they’ll be sent to a new team. It comes with the territory of playing in the NBA, and the trade deadline is the busiest time for these moves.
But that doesn’t necessarily make getting traded any easier. Just look at Mikal Bridges.
Bridges was traded early Thursday morning in a blockbuster deal that brought Kevin Durant to the Phoenix Suns. The haul was huge for the Nets, and the Suns’ willingness to part with Bridges probably wasn’t something many expected. After all, Bridges developed into a fan favorite in Phoenix — one of the league’s best perimeter defenders and a reliable scorer. Bridges also felt at home with the Suns.
This old tweet from the 2020 draft lottery — pinned on top of Bridges’ account — certainly held a different meaning come Thursday.
I dont ever wanna leave ❤️ @Suns https://t.co/FWSX3OihqZ
— Mikal Bridges (@mikal_bridges) August 21, 2020
Bridges had tweeted that after the Suns drew the 10th overall pick for the 2020 draft. In 2018, the Suns picked Bridges 10th overall from Villanova. Bridges didn’t want to leave Phoenix, but that’s just the way this league works at times.
Fans noticed that tweet and shared plenty of thoughts on it after the trade.
This was how Twitter reacted
This man never missed a game for Phx. One of the most beloved Suns of all time. Blossomed into a premier defensive wing & his scoring took off this year. Really going to miss Mikal. It’s been a pleasure. 🤝👏 https://t.co/mducb6YHLL pic.twitter.com/JgjTcympWu
— Tyler Cole🌵 (@ArizonaWildbags) February 9, 2023
I am sad https://t.co/u6K2vkHEe9
— Kristen Keogh (@KristenKeogh) February 9, 2023
This is 💔@mikal_bridges pinned tweet is that he never wants to leave us. 😭 https://t.co/9r5elREngo
— Nicole Grigg (@NicoleSGrigg) February 9, 2023
Loyalty, Commitment, Team First . Unique qualities of a special player . @BrooklynNets are getting the best teammate ever !! https://t.co/dBxIrItGr4
— Jay Wright (@CoachJayWright) February 9, 2023
I feel soo bad for him man https://t.co/Fkf0GQ7jH8
— 🛎️ (@ADAO__11) February 9, 2023
We'll miss you so much https://t.co/bNmtx2ilfq pic.twitter.com/0iA9mVDAY6
— Cody Hunt (@co_dhunt) February 9, 2023
Seeing this again and I am totally sobbing 😭 https://t.co/bMOoDWhiAB
— Reyna Montoya 🌵 (@ReynaEMontoya) February 9, 2023
This kinda hurts looking at this tweet now https://t.co/KT6kBpAp3R
— ᴱᵛᵃⁿ 🫥 (@OfficialEvanAZ) February 9, 2023
My heart 😔 https://t.co/65juslh2Vj
— Veronica (@suns_tutu_fan) February 9, 2023
Didn’t think I’d be crying this morning https://t.co/a8M1HZybnG
— jj great (@jj_is_good) February 9, 2023
WHO IS CUTTING ONIONS???🥺🥺🥺🥹🥹🥹 https://t.co/kAa3WizAv2
— DominAYTON (@DOMINAYTON1) February 9, 2023
sobbing. https://t.co/eG2qDxv1wA
— Peyton Woolf (@peyton_woolf) February 9, 2023
Suns fans will miss him. That’s for sure.
