Cam Johnson, Mikal Bridges' Impact on Suns Felt Beyond the Court
Despite the electricity that the Kevin Durant trade provided to the city of Phoenix, a somber undertone was felt as the Valley of the Sun said goodbye to two of the team’s beloved.
A trade involving Kevin Durant saw the departure of Mikal Bridges and Cam Johnson. Not only were these two players important infrastructure to the franchise’s on-court production since 2019, The Twins had a connection to the The Valley that we may never see again.
Mikal Bridges
In 2018, the Philadelphia 76ers selected 10th a small forward out of Villanova University, one who just claimed the Julius Erving Award for the best small forward in college basketball, one who had won two NCAA National Championships in his college career, one who was playing for his hometown basketball team.
Instead, draft rights to Zhaire Smith and an unprotected 1st round draft pick was traded to Phoenix for the lanky defender. Five years later and 365 consecutive games have passed since Mikal Bridges became a Sun.
365 consecutive games is currently the longest streak of consecutive played games in the NBA. Bridges hasn’t missed a single game in his career for the Suns. A true definition of dependable, Bridges quickly rose to Suns luminary status due to his grit on the court and outgoing nature off it.
Bridges’ relationship with fans grew as the young man began to mature and break out of his shell. Interactions with fans was common practice from Bridges.
Below is a video of Bridges enjoying his night with fans in Tempe, AZ, something that will certainly be missed. The caption stings with irony now.
Personality is an underrated characteristic in sports that sometimes becomes washed over when statistics and records dominate the discussion. Bridges provided an irreplaceable human aspect to the Suns that felt genuine. The passion for the game of basketball is ever present for Bridges when he plays and this was undoubtedly noticed by fans.
Sometimes, the personality of Bridges would shine through. So much so, that it might be shown on the arena jumbotron for the entire arena to watch, giving Suns fans iconic videos such as this:
Heartfelt message was shared by Bridges on Instagram, saying his goodbyes to the franchise
Cam Johnson
With the 11th overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, the Minnesota Timberwolves selected the North Carolina product who was being touted as the best shooter in the draft. A year after acquiring Bridges, Johnson was of high interest for the Suns looking for perimeter shooting to help out Devin Booker. The Suns completed the trade that night, and Johnson lived up to his sharp shooting talent in college.
Johnson broke the Suns franchise record for the fewest games to make at least 100 3-pointers on Aug. 8, 2020 in a 119-112 win against the Miami Heat. He quickly became known for his clutch shooting performances and offering the Suns a spark off the bench.
In March of 2022, the Suns played the New York Knicks on a nationally televised game on ESPN. Johnson hit nine 3-pointers and scored a career high 38 points. One of the most memorable Johnson moments came from him in the final seconds. With the Suns down two with seven second left, Johnson trailed the play as Damion Lee brought the ball up amidst the chaotic frenzy.
Johnson slipped by, received the ball, took one dribble and heaved ball off the window and in. An unforgettable buzzed beater that capped off a career night for Johnson.
What folks may not know about Johnson is his work he has put in off the court in the community. While the 26-year old has dealt with multiple injuries in his career, Johnson had continued to make time for both the Phoenix and the Pittsburgh community in which he grew up.
Head coach Monty Williams showed some emotion while discussing The Twins departure:
Devin Booker was asked about his thoughts on the trade
"The definition of bittersweet," said Booker.
While the Suns are certainly excited to acquire Durant, an emotional toll was taken. The Twins will forever hold a special place in Phoenix.
