PHOENIX – Phoenix Suns owner Mat Ishbia is taking full accountability for the team’s shortcoming in his tenure. Since his arrival in 2023, Ishbia has tried to push the envelope of what it means to be a dedicated, winning owner. In the first week on the job, he and then general manager James Jones push for the Kevin Durant trade, which caused a chain reaction to the franchise’s downfall.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Three coaches, two general managers, a Bradley Beal trade and more unnecessary drama later, Phoenix has quickly become the laughing stock of the NBA. Former players like Durant, Beal and Tyus Jones find the Suns downfall hilarious, which might be an indicator of the team’s lack of structure. Ishbia spoke with SiriusXM NBA radio talking about how he has seen and heard the criticism and is ready to address it next season by building an identity within the organization.
Phoenix Mercury and Suns owner Mat Ishbia (left) talks with new Suns general manager Brian Gregory during the second quarter between the Phoenix Mercury and the Minnesota Lynx at PHX Arena on July 9, 2025. © Michael Chow/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Ishbia on doing it the “right way” to building an identity with Suns:
Ishbia claims the front office and him are going to do it the “right way” on building a team that the fans can be proud to cheer on in the future. He doesn’t predict a timetable for when it could be fix, ranging it from one to 10 years. However, the 45-year-old owner will not have his passion or his care for this team questioned, as Ishbia plans to put all the resources in fixing the Suns.
Feb 8, 2023; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns owner Mat Ishbia speaks to the media at an introductory press conference at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
The process started by hiring first-time head coach Jordan Ott to lead the franchise. Phoenix insisted on hiring former NBA head coaches that seemingly had no connection to the Valley or motivation to prove anything, as they’re already a championship-winning coach. This is Ott’s first chance at being an NBA head coach, and he will be hungry.
That mindset will resonate with team filled with young players that haven’t made it to the postseasons, mixed with veterans that want to get back to those moments. As Ishbia claimed, the process will be long but taking accountability and addressing the issue is an encouraging first step towards rebuilding.
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Reporter Tanner Tortorella covers general assignment for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @TannerTSports
