Mikal Bridges (SG/SF, PHO) - Week 7 Waiver Wire Pickups

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ANALYSIS: Phoenix Suns rookie Mikal Bridges was drafted by the 76ers this season and then packaged in a deal to the Suns. That Phoenix gave up Zhaire Smith and a future first was evidence that the team liked what they'd seen from Bridges and would want to get him on the court as soon as possible. That hypothesis has been proven as Bridges has become an important piece for the Suns.

Over the past six games, Bridges is averaging 9.5 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 1.8 steals per game on 54.3 percent shooting and a 40-percent mark from deep. He's finally entered the starting lineup for the Suns, and while he took a brief sojourn back to the bench against the Bulls, it seems that Bridges will be in the lineup to stay at this point.

The rookie has made the Suns better by being on the floor. The team has an offensive rating of 112.8 when Bridges is on the floor, while the offensive rating when he sits sinks to 102.1. Phoenix's defensive rating is 14.1 points better with Bridges on the floor. Advanced metrics suggest the team would be wise to have Bridges play as much as possible, and an increase in playing time should lead to more consistency in Bridge's results.

One of the under-the-radar storylines of his season is fouls. Bridges has committed three or more in six of the last seven games, and foul trouble limits a player's on-court opportunities. That should be a fixable problem as Bridges gets used to the NBA game, and Bridges has looked good when playing 25 or more minutes. Fantasy owners who are looking for someone who could be a huge riser in the near future and want to get in on the ground floor should look to Bridges, who has the potential to be a very strong wing player for this Suns team.