Miles Bridges (ankle) will not reutrn Wednesday

Fleming didn’t have a great night shooting the basketball, missing all four of his three-point attempts. However, he’ll be most valuable to the Suns as a defender, and the second-year forward had a highly productive game. In addition to 10 rebounds, Fleming recorded two steals and two blocks in 25 minutes. With the Suns adding Miles Bridges via trade, there are likely to be fewer shots to go around next season. However, the exits of Grayson Allen and Royce O’Neale mean that there’s still a need for help on the wings, even with Luke Kennard coming over. Fleming’s defensive ability should allow him to earn consistent minutes after playing sparingly as a rookie.

With his draft rights acquired on the night of the 2018 NBA Draft, Bridges has spent his entire NBA career in Charlotte. He appeared in 77 games last season, averaging 17.1 points, 5.8 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.9 three-pointers while shooting 46.0 percent from the field and 82.2 percent from the foul line. His trade is the second for the Hornets in less than a week as the franchise charts a new path, with LaMelo Ball having been dealt to the Timberwolves on Wednesday. Bridges missed the entire 2022-23 season due to a (since-resolved) domestic abuse case, but has been a productive player when he’s suited up.. Bridges can provide solid fantasy value when available, but his ceiling will be capped in a lineup that features Devin Booker, Jalen Green and Dillon Brooks.

After three seasons playing on two-way contracts, Gillespie played well enough last season to earn a substantial payday when free agency opens at the end of the month. Starting 58 of the 80 games he played last season, the 6-foot-1 guard averaged 12.7 points, 4.1 rebounds, 4.6 assists, 1.2 steals and 2.9 three-pointers in 28.5 minutes. Gillespie should take on a similar role next season, and he’s capable of offering consistent late-round value in standard leagues.

While there were some rumblings that Bridges could be had for the right price at the February trade deadline, the veteran forward remained in Charlotte. However, that may not be the case this summer, based on Fischer’s reporting. Bridges is going into the final year of his contract, with a $22.8 million cap hit. Regarding the draft, the Hornets currently hold two first-round picks, 14th and 18th overall. Would Bridges plus a pick be an approach for the team to take if they wanted to move up? That will be something to keep an eye on, especially with Charlotte also rumored to be seeking an upgrade at the center position.

Goodwin hasn’t played since he injured his calf five minutes into the series’ opening game. The 27-year-old guard was said to have been progressing in his recovery, but was still ruled out for Game 4. Collin Gillespie has replaced him in the starting lineup while Grayson Allen provides additional depth off the bench.

Injured during the series opener, Goodwin did not play in Games 2 or 3. Collin Gillespie has moved into the starting lineup, and Grayson Allen’s return during Saturday’s Game 3 defeat gave the Suns additional depth on the perimeter. Goodwin is most impactful as a defender, giving Phoenix another option to throw at Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

Goodwin hurt his calf five minutes into Game 1 of the series against the Thunder and hasn’t played since. Even with Goodwin sidelined in Game 2, Grayson Allen got a DNP-CD again. Collin Gillespie moved into the starting lineup for Game 2 and had seven points in 29 minutes. Expect Gillespie to start again with Goodwin still out.

Down two starters, the Suns’ depth will be tested against one of the deeper teams in the league on Wednesday. Phoenix was blown out in Sunday’s opener, but will have a chance to even the series before going back home for Game 3.

Allen is back after a three-game absence, giving the Suns additional depth on the perimeter. His minutes are likely to come at the expense of Collin Gillespie and Haywood Highsmith, with the latter being more likely to fall out of the Suns’ rotation entirely.

Bridges struggled with his three-point shot in the season-ending loss. However, his success inside the arc and at the charity stripe helped him finish as Charlotte’s second-leading scorer on the evening. Bridges didn’t contribute in many other areas, however, and a bad team performance prevented this contest from being competitive through the final horn. He ends his seventh NBA season with averages of 17.1 points, 5.8 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game. His fantasy production slipped this season, as did his overall numbers.