New Owner - Mat Ishbia

[BirdGangThing]

Is it just me or are JJ and Ishbia pretty quiet these days?

isaiah too

 

[Yuma]

isaiah too

Isaiah is more of a silent partner.

 

[Ronin]

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[Chaplin]

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That doesn't exactly mesh with the general feeling on this board about the KD trade.

 

[Superbone]

That doesn't exactly mesh with the general feeling on this board about the KD trade.

Except that Jones wanted him too. Just not at the price of everything.

 

[Chaplin]

Except that Jones wanted him too. Just not at the price of everything.

That means nothing and still doesn't fit with the quote. The quote is from an unnamed source, so I find it's accuracy dubious at best.

 

[Mainstreet]

Except that Jones wanted him too. Just not at the price of everything.

We don't know that James Jones didn't want KD at the price of everything.

What we do know is that the trade was approved by Mat Ishbia when he became the Suns owner.

IMO, it's more likely Robert Sarver wouldn't approve the trade and rightly so.

 

[AzStevenCal]

We don't know that James Jones didn't want KD at the price of everything.

What we do know is that the trade was approved by Mat Ishbia when he became the Suns owner.

IMO, it's more likely Robert Sarver wouldn't approve the trade and rightly so.

Actually, do we? I try to say Ish rather than Mat because I'm not sure how much is him and how much is his brother. As for the KD trade, I'm pretty sure Mat signed off on it but I am still convinced it was his friendship with IT that really made the call.

 

[Mainstreet]

Actually, do we? I try to say Ish rather than Mat because I'm not sure how much is him and how much is his brother. As for the KD trade, I'm pretty sure Mat signed off on it but I am still convinced it was his friendship with IT that really made the call.

What I'm saying, we do not know that James Jones wouldn't have made the same trade for KD trade earlier in the season if Robert Sarver had approved it.

We don't know all the details, but I'm not absolving the Suns GM of his responsibility in the trade. That's his job.

 

[AzStevenCal]

What I'm saying, we do not know that James Jones wouldn't have made the same for KD trade earlier in the season if Robert Sarver had approved it.

We don't know all the details, but I'm not absolving the Suns GM of his responsibility in the trade. That's his job.

I agree. I argued similarly when our GM signed off on that horrible trade to Seattle. I know Sarver told him to cut costs but he rolled over and made a horrible trade that hurt us in the postseason and for years to come.

I don't think JJ would have given up anywhere near what we eventually gave up for KD but it happened on his watch, it's on him. But I still maintain that firing him alone won't solve our problems, divorcing this front office from IT is even more important.

 

[Mainstreet]

I agree. I argued similarly when our GM signed off on that horrible trade to Seattle. I know Sarver told him to cut costs but he rolled over and made a horrible trade that hurt us in the postseason and for years to come.

I don't think JJ would have given up anywhere near what we eventually gave up for KD but it happened on his watch, it's on him. But I still maintain that firing him alone won't solve our problems, divorcing this front office from IT is even more important.

I think we can agree, the Suns problems run deep and James Jones is one of them.

 

[GatorAZ]

That means nothing and still doesn't fit with the quote. The quote is from an unnamed source, so I find it's accuracy dubious at best.

.
Yeah it’s obvious Bourget is being used as a mouthpiece. Woj and both reported the Suns weren’t wiling to give up everything until Ishbia pushed it through.

 

[elindholm]

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I wonder whether the Anonymous Source is Durant's Xitter burner account.

 

[Hoop Head]

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Yeah it’s obvious Bourget is being used as a mouthpiece. Woj and both reported the Suns weren’t wiling to give up everything until Ishbia pushed it through.

I think the question is who represents the "Suns". Is it JJ or Ish? I don't find it hard to believe that Sarver wouldn't sign off on KD coming here. Jones could have been willing but without approval from owneeship, his approval means little to nothing. Once an owner who didn't watch the bottom line like Sarver took over, the deal happens. Was it Ishbia or JJ? Perhaps both of them.

I believe Sarver kept JJ from making the deal. He was "suspended" at the time so he couldn't have participated in KD's arrival in any way. The financial implications were greater as well. Throw in how Mikal was reportedly a favorite of Sarver and I think there's enough evidence that Bobby Banker wouldn't approve what Ish did.

 

[Yuma]

I often wondered if JJ was the one who actually made the trade, not Ishbia. Think about it. Before Ishbia came in, they had that weird place JJ was in where he could steward the team, but decisions had to go through Sarver's buddy to be OK'd. Really, for a trade that big, JJ had to wait for Ishbia to be on board. If JJ thought the price was too steep, I'm sure he would have voiced that opinion. Sure Ishbia gave the final OK. We don't know how that offer was presented to Ishbia, nor the opinions JJ had of the twins and them being put in the trade. I think not enough blame goes to JJ on that trade, and too much to Ishbia. Put your self in Ishbia's shoes. An NBA GM is telling you to make the trade, or at least giving you the pros and cons to weigh the trade. I'm sure Ishbia asked JJ, "Would you make this trade?" Why wouldn't he ask JJ's opinion? I'm just guessing like everyone else, but my gut felling is JJ wasn't exactly talking Ishbia out of getting KD.

 

[Mainstreet]

I don't think Mat Ishbia has changed his approach much to the Suns. He still seems to be all-in on winning now.

One thing appears clear, Devin Booker will remain a Sun.

See link and snippet from the ESPN article below.


By Tim MacMahon Mar 14, 2025, 07:00 AM ET, ESPN:


"If we get in the playoffs, I don't think that we're an easy out for anybody," Ishbia said.

And if they don't, Phoenix's front office will again explore all sorts of potential personnel scenarios as the Suns search for solutions while operating under Ishbia's "all-in" mandate. According to Ishbia, a "pivot and reload" around Booker could be the direction the franchise chooses this summer. The futures of Beal and Durant in Phoenix are uncertain after the Suns engaged in trade discussions involving them before this year's deadline. The belief within the front office is that the Suns aren't as far away from contending as the standings indicate.

As a source close to Ishbia said, "For better or worse, there's no 'trust the process' to Mat Ishbia."

No 'trust the process'? What's next for the Phoenix Suns

The Suns are in danger of missing the play-in tournament with the most expensive roster in the NBA.

www.espn.com

 

[Mainstreet]

This comment is from the above linked article.

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[GatorAZ]

We’re going to be the post-Barkley/pre-Marbury Suns. If we keep Book around it’s gonna be the Jason Kidd years where he’s surrounded by non-difference makers. First round fodder at best.

 

[AsUpRoDiGy]

I don't think Mat Ishbia has changed his approach much to the Suns. He still seems to be all-in on winning now.

One thing appears clear, Devin Booker will remain a Sun.

See link and snippet from the ESPN article below.


By Tim MacMahon Mar 14, 2025, 07:00 AM ET, ESPN:


"If we get in the playoffs, I don't think that we're an easy out for anybody," Ishbia said.

And if they don't, Phoenix's front office will again explore all sorts of potential personnel scenarios as the Suns search for solutions while operating under Ishbia's "all-in" mandate. According to Ishbia, a "pivot and reload" around Booker could be the direction the franchise chooses this summer. The futures of Beal and Durant in Phoenix are uncertain after the Suns engaged in trade discussions involving them before this year's deadline. The belief within the front office is that the Suns aren't as far away from contending as the standings indicate.

As a source close to Ishbia said, "For better or worse, there's no 'trust the process' to Mat Ishbia."

No 'trust the process'? What's next for the Phoenix Suns

The Suns are in danger of missing the play-in tournament with the most expensive roster in the NBA.

www.espn.com

Desperation moves to stay relevant are only going to compound the Suns issues. Over-paying for older "stars" is an exercise in futility.

 

[AzStevenCal]

We’re going to be the post-Barkley/pre-Marbury Suns. If we keep Book around it’s gonna be the Jason Kidd years where he’s surrounded by non-difference makers. First round fodder at best.

I'm far less positive about our future than you are.

 

[Mainstreet]

We’re going to be the post-Barkley/pre-Marbury Suns. If we keep Book around it’s gonna be the Jason Kidd years where he’s surrounded by non-difference makers. First round fodder at best.

At least keeping Devin Booker gives the team an identity. There is no guarantee the Suns would be any better off if they traded him. The change needs to happen at the GM, coaching and scouting level.

What I want to see is a new GM that gives the team a direction. I'd like to see the Suns build an athletic team with some size and an in your face defense going forward. I'm so tired of finesse players. Also, the Suns need to kick the bushes for talent in the G-League and FIBA players. Other teams do this.

Ironically, it may take parting with draft assets to trade Beal. It might be worth it to get under the 2nd tax apron.

 

[Cheesebeef]

I don't think Mat Ishbia has changed his approach much to the Suns. He still seems to be all-in on winning now.

One thing appears clear, Devin Booker will remain a Sun.

See link and snippet from the ESPN article below.


By Tim MacMahon Mar 14, 2025, 07:00 AM ET, ESPN:


"If we get in the playoffs, I don't think that we're an easy out for anybody," Ishbia said.

And if they don't, Phoenix's front office will again explore all sorts of potential personnel scenarios as the Suns search for solutions while operating under Ishbia's "all-in" mandate. According to Ishbia, a "pivot and reload" around Booker could be the direction the franchise chooses this summer. The futures of Beal and Durant in Phoenix are uncertain after the Suns engaged in trade discussions involving them before this year's deadline. The belief within the front office is that the Suns aren't as far away from contending as the standings indicate.

As a source close to Ishbia said, "For better or worse, there's no 'trust the process' to Mat Ishbia."

No 'trust the process'? What's next for the Phoenix Suns

The Suns are in danger of missing the play-in tournament with the most expensive roster in the NBA.

www.espn.com

ooooof.

 

[Cheesebeef]

At least keeping Devin Booker gives the team an identity.

Devin Booker's identity before CP3 was an empty calories scorer who couldn't come close to moving the needle in the W column, and his identity after is little more than a Luka's His Daddy meme, who's led one of the most disappointing teams in basketball the last two years.

That's not any kind of identity any team should want.

 

[Mainstreet]

Desperation moves to stay relevant are only going to compound the Suns issues. Over-paying for older "stars" is an exercise in futility.

Hopefully Ishbia has learned at least this part of the lesson.

The Suns need to get rid of at least one big contract and identify the right players to bring in.

It may not result in optimal results, but if the team is headed in the right direction, it's a lot easier to watch.

 

[Mainstreet]

Devin Booker's identity before CP3 was an empty calories scorer who couldn't come close to moving the needle in the W column, and his identity after is little more than a Luka's His Daddy meme, who's led one of the most disappointing teams in basketball the last two years.

That's not any kind of identity any team should want.

It shows what adding a #1 can do. Too bad, Chris Paul was at the tail end of his career.

I'm not sure what the Suns were thinking when they made the trade for Durant.