PHOENIX – The Phoenix Suns held its end-of-season press conference on Thursday, headlined by owner Mat Ishbia, who made a lot of promises for the team’s future. Ishbia opened the media scrum bluntly, saying the 2024-2025 season was “embarrassing” for the franchise. Phoenix fell well short of not just the front office’s expectations but other outlets’ predictions. Ishbia pointed out how the Suns were one of the favorites to win the title in the preseason, having the ninth-best odds (+3500) to raise the Larry O’Brien trophy.
Those dreams were dashed quickly, and now the franchise is without a coach, star players expected to be traded, and endless questions pelleting the franchise. Regardless, Ishbia hasn’t swayed from his optimistic aspirations, vowing that he will bring a championship to Phoenix.
Suns owner Mat Ishbia speaks with the press during a news conference at Footprint Center in Phoenix on May 1, 2024. Syndication: Arizona Republic
Ishbia’s opening statement about Suns’ season:
Ishbia acknowledges that changes are needed for that goal, and the first one is establishing an identity with the franchise. Since the UWM CEO arrived in Phoenix over two years ago, he has tried to make an impact. After only a week of the sale of the Suns being finalized, Ishbia pushed general manager James Jones to trade for 15-time All-Star Kevin Durant.
Feb 16, 2023; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns owner Mat Ishbia, Forward Kevin Durant and General Manager James Jones pose for a photo at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports
The result was a second-round exit and the firing of Monty Williams. Ishbia then tried a coaching change with the hire of Frank Vogel, which again didn’t lead to success. The trifecta of new Suns head coaches ended with Mike Budenholzer as a last beam of hope to finally fix the team’s disappointing season. However, much like the other attempts, Budenholzer couldn’t, and Ishbia fired the first-year Suns head coach because he was “the wrong coach for our organization and for that team.”
Ishbia on the decision to fire Budenholzer:
After the Budenholzer firing, Ishbia realized the team needed to find an identity similar to Phoenix: gritty. A roster filled with hard-working, gritty players that strive to win. Ishbia has spent his first two years looking for an easy, quick solution and recognized the beauty of the sport, which is the process that goes into winning.
Mat Ishbia attends a news conference introducing him as the new majority owner of the Suns and Mercury at Footprint Center in Phoenix on Feb. 8, 2023.
Three coaches in three years aren’t going to create an identity, and Ishbia knows that the front office will find a coach that aligns with their ideals. The changes this offseason will be crucial to fulfilling the promise that Ishbia made to every Suns fan in the Valley that he will bring the franchise its first Larry O’Brien trophy in its history.
Suns Durant and Rockets have “mutual interest” in working together
*Get the BEST Phoenix sports insider information, and exclusive content. SIGN UP HERE to unlock our premium content!*
Reporter Tanner Tortorella covers general assignment for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @TannerTSports
