Alright, let's talk hoops. Specifically, let's dive into something that fascinates me – those guys who managed to suit up for both the Phoenix Suns and the Milwaukee Bucks during their NBA careers. You know, the players who played for the Suns and the Bucks. It's a smaller club than you might think. People search for this stuff all the time, maybe they're trivia buffs, maybe they're writing a blog like this, or maybe they're just curious about where their favorite role player ended up. Whatever the reason, I figured it was time someone put together the full picture, beyond just a quick list.
Honestly, researching this felt like digging through old basketball cards. Some names you remember instantly, stars who made stops in both cities. Others? Total deep cuts, guys who bounced around the league leaving barely a trace. That contrast is kind of what makes it interesting, though. It shows the different paths an NBA career can take. Why do fans care about these dual-alumni players? Well, maybe it's fantasy basketball nostalgia, maybe it's tracking trade histories, or perhaps it's just appreciating the journeymen who keep the league ticking over. Seeing a familiar face pop up on a different team always sparks a conversation.
I remember arguing with a buddy years ago about whether Jason Kidd *really* played for both – turns out he barely suited up for the Suns before getting traded! That kind of trivia sticks.
The Big Names: Stars Who Called Both Phoenix and Milwaukee Home
These are the guys you definitely know, the ones whose jerseys might hang in one rafters (or maybe both someday). Their stints with the Suns and Bucks are significant chapters in their careers. Let's break them down properly.
Charles Barkley: The Round Mound's Brief Midwest Stop
Chuck. Sir Charles. An absolute force of nature. Everyone associates him with Philly and Phoenix, right? His MVP season in Phoenix ('93), that run to the Finals... iconic. But before all that Suns glory, he was actually a Buck. Yep, seriously. Milwaukee drafted him 5th overall in 1984. He only played one partial season there before being traded to the 76ers.
Bucks Stint (1984): 57 games (just part of his rookie year). Averaged 14.0 points, 8.6 rebounds. Showed flashes but wasn't the superstar yet.
Suns Stint (1992-1996): 4 seasons. The absolute peak. MVP (1993), led Suns to Finals. Averaged 23.4 points, 11.5 rebounds, 4.4 assists. Became a global superstar and cultural icon.
What stands out? The sheer difference in impact. Barkley was a promising rookie in Milwaukee, but he became a league-defining legend in Phoenix. It's wild to think he was technically one of those players who played for the Suns and the Bucks. That trade from Philly to Phoenix changed everything. His personality, his game, it all exploded in the desert. Could he have become "Charles Barkley" if he'd stayed in Milwaukee? Probably, but Phoenix was the perfect launchpad. That trade is still one of the biggest in Suns history.
Jason Kidd: Point God Before His Time (Almost)
Kidd is one of the greatest point guards ever, no debate. Mavericks, Suns, Nets... those are his legacy teams, right? Well, technically, he *was* drafted by the Mavericks, but... here's the twist. On draft night in 1994, Dallas traded Kidd *immediately* to the Phoenix Suns. He played his first 2.5 seasons in Phoenix, becoming a star and winning Co-Rookie of the Year (with Grant Hill).
So, when did Milwaukee come in? Right at the end. After winning gold with Team USA in 2008, Kidd signed with the Dallas Mavericks (again) in 2008. Finally, in July 2012, after his second stint in Dallas, he signed a three-year deal with the New York Knicks. Wait, what about the Bucks? Patience! He retired after the 2012-13 season with the Knicks. But then... he un-retired? Not quite. In 2013, he transitioned directly into coaching, starting as the head coach of the Brooklyn Nets. After one season, he was surprisingly traded (yes, coaches can be traded!) to the Milwaukee Bucks in 2014. He coached the Bucks for parts of four seasons (2014-2018).
Suns Stint (1994-1996): 2.5 seasons. Drafted #2 overall *for* Phoenix. Explosive young guard. Co-Rookie of the Year (1995). Averaged 14.5 points, 6.9 rebounds, 9.2 assists, 2.3 steals. Dynamic triple-double threat.
Bucks Connection: Head Coach ONLY (2014-2018). Never played a game for Milwaukee as a player. Developed young Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton.
So, is Kidd technically a player who played for the Suns and the Bucks? As a *player*, no. He only played for Phoenix. But because he's so famously associated with coaching Milwaukee during Giannis's rise, and because "played for" is sometimes loosely interpreted, he often pops up in discussions. It's a bit of a grey area, but it's important to clarify to avoid confusion. His Suns days were electric, though. That young Kidd was something else. His coaching tenure in Milwaukee... had its moments, some good, some frustrating (ask Bucks fans about the end).
The Role Players and Journeymen: Making Stops in the Desert and Dairyland
This is where the list gets longer and maybe a bit dustier. These are the solid pros, the rotation guys, maybe the "oh yeah, I remember him!" players who genuinely pulled on both jerseys during their playing days. These guys truly embody the journeyman spirit of the NBA.
| Player Name | Years with Bucks | Years with Suns | Key Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zaza Pachulia | 2004-2005, 2013-2015 | 2005-2006 | Fan favorite enforcer. Traded from Bucks to Suns in 2005. Known for physical play (sometimes controversial!). |
| Charlie Bell | 2005-2010 | 2010-2011 (Preseason only) | Solid backup guard for Bucks. Signed with Suns in 2010 but waived before regular season started. Tough break. |
| Jared Dudley | 2014-2015 | 2008-2013, 2016-2018 | Fan favorite "3-and-D" wing. Key rotation player for both. Beloved locker room guy in Phoenix especially. |
| Mirza Teletović | 2012-2014 | 2015-2017 | Sharp-shooting Bosnian big. Similar role for both teams: stretch the floor, instant offense off bench. |
| Tyler Ennis | 2015-2016 | 2014-2015 | Young PG drafted by Suns. Traded to Bucks as part of Brandon Knight deal. Never quite found footing in NBA. |
| Greg Monroe | 2015-2017 | 2017-2018, 2019 (10-day) | Skilled low-post scorer. Had bigger Bucks role. Suns stint was brief and underwhelming post-Brooklyn trade. |
| Eric Bledsoe | 2017-2020 | 2013-2017 | Major piece. Suns starter ("Mini LeBron"), then traded to Bucks. Key part of Bucks contending teams pre-Holiday. |
| George Hill | 2020-2021, 2023-Present | 2021-2023 | Veteran PG. Won title with Bucks (2021). Traded to Suns, then back to Bucks. Reliable presence. |
| Torrey Craig | 2023-Present | 2020-2021, 2023 | Defensive wing specialist. Multiple short stints with Suns. Key Bucks reserve in recent playoffs. |
| Jae Crowder | 2022-2023 (Never Played) | 2020-2022 | Key playoff piece for Suns '21 Finals run. Traded to Bucks but famously sat out waiting for trade (never played a game for them). |
| Goran Dragić | 2022 (Waived) | 2008-2011, 2021-2022 | "The Dragon." Suns fan favorite. Signed with Bucks mid-'22 season but waived quickly without playing. Weird footnote. |
| Jevon Carter | 2021-2022 | 2019-2021 | Pesky defensive guard. Developed with Suns, traded to Nets then signed with Bucks. Known for hustle and corner threes. |
| Damion Lee | 2023-Present | 2022-Present | Current player! Sharpshooter signed with Suns in '22, then joined Bucks in '23. Playing for both right now. |
(Note: This list focuses on players who appeared in at least one regular season game for both franchises, except where noted like Crowder/Dragić due to notoriety).
Looking at this bunch, you really see the different paths NBA careers take. Jared Dudley? Loved in Phoenix, solid pro in Milwaukee. Eric Bledsoe? Central figure for both teams at different points. Zaza? Traded between them. Charlie Bell? Signed but cut before he could play a real game for Phoenix – that one always struck me as harsh. George Hill bouncing back and forth? Torrey Craig being a mercenary defender? It's a mixed bag. Guys like Mirza Teletović provided a very specific, valuable skill (shooting) that both teams desperately needed at the time. Tyler Ennis? A classic case of a young guy caught in roster moves. Some of these guys truly thrived as players who played for the Suns and the Bucks, others were just passing through. Monroe's Suns tenure was forgettable, honestly.
Deeper Dives on Key Contributors
Let's zoom in on a few who had meaningful roles on both teams:
Eric Bledsoe: Man, Bledsoe's journey is a story. He arrived in Phoenix as part of the sign-and-trade for Jared Dudley (see, connections!) and instantly became a core piece alongside Goran Dragić. They were the "Two Point Guard" attack. "Mini LeBron" was the nickname – explosive drives, strong defense. He put up numbers: 17+ points, 5+ rebounds, 5+ assists per game for multiple seasons. Then came the infamous "I Dont wanna be here" tweet (or was it about a hair salon?). It all imploded. Phoenix traded him *to Milwaukee* early in the 2017-18 season. In Milwaukee, he became the starting PG next to Giannis. Still put up solid numbers (around 15/4/5), played tough defense, and was a key starter for the Bucks teams that finally became contenders. His playoff performances could be up and down, though. Eventually, he was traded again (as part of the Jrue Holiday deal). His impact was undeniable on both squads, a genuine star-level contributor during his prime years in both cities. He might be the most impactful true player who played for the Suns and the Bucks in the modern era.
Jared Dudley: Duds! Dudley's a different archetype. Never a star, but the ultimate glue guy. Drafted by Charlotte but found his niche in Phoenix from 2008-2013. He was the reliable "3-and-D" wing before the term was everywhere. Smart cutter, good passer for his position, hit open threes, and played hard-nosed defense. Became a huge fan favorite because of his hustle and personality. After a stint with the Clippers, he landed in Milwaukee for the 2014-15 season. Played a similar veteran role off the bench, hitting threes and providing savvy. His impact was more cultural in Phoenix, solid rotational in Milwaukee. He later played for Washington and Brooklyn before becoming an assistant coach. A genuinely beloved figure in Phoenix, respected in Milwaukee – a great example of a valuable role player succeeding in both systems as one of the players who played for the Suns and the Bucks.
George Hill: The steady veteran hand. Hill actually had three separate stints relevant to this list! He was traded *to* Milwaukee during the 2020-21 season and played a crucial role off the bench in their championship run. Then, he was traded to San Antonio, waived, and signed with... Phoenix in December 2021. He provided veteran backup minutes for the Suns during the 2021-22 season. Then, in July 2022, he signed back with Milwaukee! He played the 2022-23 season there and is currently (as of late 2024) still on the Bucks roster. While not a major star at this stage, he's been a reliable combo guard, a calming presence, and a respected locker room guy for both franchises in their recent contending windows. His journey perfectly embodies the veteran journeyman who finds roles with multiple contenders.
Patterns, Trades, and Why It Happens
Looking at this list, a few things jump out about these players who played for the Suns and the Bucks:
- The Trade Pipeline: There's a noticeable pattern of direct trades between the franchises involving these players. Zaza Pachulia was traded from Bucks to Suns (2005). Eric Bledsoe was traded from Suns to Bucks (2017). Tyler Ennis was traded from Suns to Bucks (part of the Brandon Knight deal). Jevon Carter was traded from Suns to Nets but ended up with Bucks soon after. George Hill has been traded/signed multiple times. This suggests front offices see value in each other's players or find matching salaries/timelines.
- The Veteran Signee: Both teams, especially in recent years trying to contend (Bucks with Giannis, Suns with Booker/CP3/KD), have targeted similar types of veteran role players to fill out their benches. Think Torrey Craig, Damion Lee, George Hill (signing phase), Jae Crowder (though it went sideways). They look for shooters, defenders, guys with playoff experience – profiles that fit contenders. Hence, they often shop in the same free agent market.
- The Journeyman Path: For many mid-level guys, especially in the pre-superteam era, landing spots were often dictated by opportunity and fit. A shooter like Mirza Teletović is useful anywhere but might land in Phoenix or Milwaukee depending on cap space and roster need at that moment. Phoenix under McDonough and Milwaukee under Horst both had phases valuing specific skill sets (shooting, length, versatility) leading them to similar players.
- The Coaching/System Factor: While not always direct, certain coaches or systems might favor similar player types. Mike Budenholzer (Bucks HC 2018-2023) likes switchable defenders and shooters – traits Monty Williams (Suns HC 2019-2023) also valued. This could make players who succeed in one system attractive to the other later on (e.g., Torrey Craig).
Honestly, it's not some grand conspiracy. More like NBA teams operate in a small world. GMs talk, agents push clients, rosters have holes, and players move around. Phoenix and Milwaukee have both been competitive teams in the same conference for chunks of the last 15 years, so they're often looking for similar pieces to get over the hump. It makes sense their paths cross on player personnel.
Beyond the Roster: Coaches and Executives
While we're focused on players, it's worth a quick mention that the connections go deeper. Jason Kidd, as discussed, coached the Bucks (though didn't play for them). Terry Stotts (longtime Trail Blazers coach) played briefly for the Bucks (1978-80) and much longer for the Spurs, but notably served as an assistant coach for the Phoenix Suns under Mike D'Antoni during the peak "Seven Seconds or Less" era (2003-2005). Joe Prunty had multiple assistant coaching stints with both franchises. Larry Krystkowiak played for the Bucks and later was an assistant coach for the Suns. Even front offices see overlap – David Griffin, now with the Pelicans, held front office roles in both Phoenix and Milwaukee earlier in his career. This broader overlap in personnel creates networks that can sometimes influence player movement, though it's usually less direct. It just reinforces how interconnected the league is.
Answering Your Questions: Players Who Played for the Suns and the Bucks FAQ
Who is the most famous player to play for both the Suns and Bucks?
Hands down, Charles Barkley. While his Bucks stint was very brief (just his rookie year), he achieved legendary, Hall-of-Fame status primarily with the Philadelphia 76ers and especially the Phoenix Suns, where he won MVP and led them to the Finals. His fame dwarfs anyone else on the dual-roster list. Eric Bledsoe probably had the highest peak *performance* for both teams among players who had significant playing time with each.
Did Jason Kidd actually play for the Milwaukee Bucks?
As a *player*, no. Jason Kidd only played for the Phoenix Suns (among these two teams). He was famously the head coach of the Milwaukee Bucks from 2014 to 2018, which is why his name sometimes gets mistakenly included in lists of players who played for the Suns and the Bucks. Important distinction!
Are there any current players on both the Suns and Bucks rosters?
As of late 2024, Damion Lee is the only player currently under contract with both teams in recent seasons. He signed with the Phoenix Suns for the 2022-23 season and then joined the Milwaukee Bucks for the 2023-24 season. He remains on the Bucks roster. Torrey Craig played for the Suns during the 2022-23 season before joining the Bucks for the 2023-24 season (and recently re-signed with them). George Hill is currently on the Bucks roster and played for the Suns in 2021-22.
Who was the best player during their time with BOTH the Suns and Bucks?
This is debatable! Based on peak performance *while actually playing for both franchises*:
- Eric Bledsoe: Put up near All-Star caliber numbers in Phoenix (17/5/5) and was a key starter on 60-win Bucks teams. Highest consistent impact.
- Charles Barkley: Obviously the best overall player, but his Bucks impact was minimal (rookie year only). His Suns peak was transcendent, but only one side truly counts here.
- Jared Dudley/Torrey Craig/George Hill: Valuable role players for both, but not at Bledsoe's starter level.
Bledsoe probably edges it due to significant contributions at a high level for both.
Why did Jae Crowder never play for the Bucks?
Crowder was a key player for the Suns during their 2021 Finals run. Before the 2022-23 season, he and the Suns mutually agreed he wouldn't play while they sought a trade. In February 2023, he was traded to the Brooklyn Nets as part of the Kevin Durant deal. The Nets then immediately traded him to the Milwaukee Bucks. However, Crowder never suited up for the Bucks. Reports suggested he wanted a larger role/bigger contract extension than Milwaukee was willing to offer at the time. He essentially sat out the rest of the season waiting for another trade, which happened in the offseason when he was sent to the San Antonio Spurs (who then waived him). It was a messy, unusual situation.
Is Goran Dragić considered one of these players?
Technically, yes, Dragić played for the Suns (two stints: 2008-2011 and 2021-2022). However, his connection to Milwaukee is very tenuous. He signed with the Bucks in August 2022 but was waived less than a month later in September 2022, **before the regular season started**. He never played a single minute for Milwaukee in a regular season or playoff game. So, while he was briefly *on the roster*, he doesn't truly count as having played for the Bucks. He's often listed but it's a technicality.
Who had the shortest stint playing for both teams?
Charlie Bell takes this unfortunate title. He played several seasons for the Bucks (2005-2010), then signed with the Phoenix Suns in September 2010. Sadly, he was waived by the Suns in October 2010, before the regular season tipped off. He never played a regular season game for Phoenix. Goran Dragić (waived before season) and Jae Crowder (traded but never played) also have non-playing "stints". Among players who actually appeared in games, Zaza Pachulia's Suns stint was only one season (2005-06), and Tyler Ennis barely played for either team.
Final Thoughts on the Suns-Bucks Connection
So there you have it. The surprisingly long, and honestly kind of fascinating, list of players who played for the Suns and the Bucks. From the megastar like Barkley (briefly in green), to foundational pieces like Bledsoe, to beloved role players like Dudley, to the myriad guys who just passed through both locker rooms.
What does it tell us? Mostly that the NBA is a small world. Players move constantly. Trades happen between teams looking for similar puzzle pieces. Veterans chase rings and landing spots on contenders like Milwaukee and Phoenix become attractive. Some guys, like Hill or Craig, become specialists at fitting into these kinds of systems. Others, like Bell or Ennis, get caught in the relentless churn of roster moves.
Researching this, I was struck by how many trades directly linked these two franchises over the years. It feels like more than random chance. Maybe it's shared philosophies at times, or maybe it's just convenient trade partners. Seeing names like Dudley involved in deals bringing Bledsoe to Phoenix only for Bledsoe to later be sent to Milwaukee... it's like a little ecosystem. The Jae Crowder saga was one of the strangest footnotes in recent memory for both teams – a player both desperately wanted (at different times) who ended up being a major headache for the Bucks without ever playing!
Looking for players who played for the Suns and the Bucks gives you more than just trivia. It's a snapshot of NBA roster building, player movement, and the diverse careers athletes have – superstars, solid starters, bench contributors, and guys just fighting to stay in the league. It's the full spectrum. Hopefully, this deep dive answered your questions and maybe even uncovered a connection or two you hadn't known about before. Now, who will be the next player to join this unique club?
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