Mistakes were made when Ishbia took over as Suns owner. Maybe it’s time to admit it and try to regain support from the fanbase.
Mistakes have been made, and we all have to live with them. Phoenix Suns owner Mat Ishbia came in like a whirlwind in 2023, determined to turn the franchise around. Trading for Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal were bold, statement-making moves. But in hindsight, the Beal trade might not have been the right call.
According to former Suns owner Jerry Colangelo, though, this is just part of the learning curve. Every new owner faces challenges, and Ishbia is no exception. The key question now is whether he can adapt, learn from these early missteps, and build a sustainable path forward for the franchise.
Former Phoenix Suns owner Jerry Colangelo said current owner Mat Ishbia is going through a learning curve right now.
“I think maybe when he first bought the team he wanted to make a little splash, which was kind of customary when people take over an organization. In retrospect,… pic.twitter.com/AFlhmQSNlu
— Arizona Sports (@AZSports) February 21, 2025
I feel like Devin Booker and Mat Ishbia have had conversations this season about the mistakes made in trying to surround Booker with elite talent—and how it hasn’t worked out. Those missteps have cost the Suns this season and could impact next season as well, hurting their chances of competing for an NBA title. That conversation needs to be brought into the open. Instead of maintaining the illusion that this roster is one any NBA GM would love to have, the organization might need to acknowledge reality. Being transparent with fans and admitting it could take a few seasons to get back on track might be necessary.
We can’t keep lying to ourselves that this team is a contender. Drastic moves need to happen this offseason to regain buy-in from the fanbase and restore faith in the franchise’s direction.
It won’t be an easy road, and the process won’t be pretty. But by season’s end, an honest explanation and a clear vision for the future could help fans realize that while the Suns may be down now, they can still compete in the years to come.
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