PHOENIX – Over the last year or so, whenever Mat Ishbia has taken questions from news reporters, he’s always been asked a version of the same question. What’s a mistake you have made as the owner of the Phoenix Suns, and how have you learned from it?
Ishbia, 45, has almost always responded the same way. He’s always learning, every day, in everything he does. And that’s probably true. A person doesn’t get to where Ishbia is without learning and adapting. But it’s also been a noticeable sidestep as the organization he runs has slipped from Western Conference contender to postseason dropout.
And so the question came again Thursday as Ishbia talked publicly for the first time since the Suns finished the most disappointing season in their history, one that their fans and most everyone else could not wait to end.
Mistakes?
Ishbia said he’s made a lot since assuming control of the Suns in February 2023. But his biggest regret is not setting an organizational tone and identity, making it clear what the Suns believe as an organization and how they’re going to function. “Because even if we don’t win a championship that way,” Ishbia said at the team’s practice facility, “we’re proud of it and we stand behind it. We’re good with it.”
While it’s not the confession many might want after the team broke up a championship contender to trade for Kevin Durant and added Bradley Beal and his impossible contract under Ishbia’s watch, it’s a positive step for an owner still finding his way.
Mat Ishbia and James Jones brought in Kevin Durant in hopes of getting the Suns back to the NBA Finals. But the team has regressed since the move. (Chris Coduto / Getty Images)
Think back to a year ago under similar circumstances. The Suns had just been swept in the playoffs’ first round and Ishbia lectured the media about creating “house on fire” storylines and how the Suns were this close to where they wanted to be. He memorably said 26 other teams in the NBA would love to trade places with the Suns, not just their roster but their draft capital and entire organizational setup. It was a jarring display of tone-deafness, one that has followed Ishbia since.
On Thursday, Ishbia had a different message. In describing Phoenix’s 36-46 season, he used words like “embarrassing” and “disappointing.” He called it a failure and acknowledged the team’s collective lack of joy. Basically, he said everything fans wanted to hear from dismissed coach Mike Budenholzer throughout the regular season. Late accountability is better than no accountability.
From the start, Ishbia has promised titles. (This part didn’t change Thursday; Ishbia still said the Suns would win championships — plural.) For fans, it was exciting to have an owner willing to spend, one willing to do whatever it takes. When asked about the Suns’ place above the second tax apron, a salary threshold that limits what types of trades and signings high-spending teams can make, Ishbia often said fans didn’t care about such things, all they cared about was winning.
Which was true. Until the Suns this season started struggling, losing in Charlotte in January and dropping back-to-back games at Portland in February, looking disconnected and disinterested. Then Phoenix’s financial situation became a much bigger deal because it limited options for roster improvement. And a different opinion of Ishbia started to form. One that questioned whether he knew what he was doing.
In the mortgage business, Ishbia has been a hands-on leader. In basketball, the same approach has raised questions. The Suns have a leadership nucleus of Ishbia, long-time general manager James Jones and CEO Josh Bartelstein, but over two-plus years, it’s been easy to wonder if Ishbia is more involved than he should be.
Ishbia on Thursday pushed back on this. It’s not like he’s studying film, he said. Not like he’s scouting college prospects or examining salary-cap sheets.
It was a strange way to answer simply because no one cares if he’s watching film. They care if he’s directing or overriding those who are.
Unlike some owners, Ishbia has a basketball background. During his days as a walk-on at Michigan State, he sat next to coach Tom Izzo to try and better understand the game. He considered going into coaching and even had a job lined up as an assistant coach at Cleveland State. He chose the mortgage business instead.
In 2023, Bartelstein was asked who has the final call in personnel decisions. He said, along with Jones, his job was to present Ishbia with options. “We have an owner who understands basketball,” Bartelstein said then. “He played it. He’s been around it his whole life. … Our job is to just cast a wide net to try and find as much value as we can and present what we want to do. Of course, we give recommendations and what we think, but ultimately, it’s Mat’s call.”
On Thursday, Bartelstein said Ishbia’s involvement in personnel decisions has been exaggerated. Ishbia hasn’t made one trade, he said. Hasn’t instructed the front office to sign one free agent. He’s involved, Bartelstein said. But he should be. He’s the owner.
Added Jones: “There’s nothing better than having an owner who cares.”
The most revealing thing Ishbia said Thursday came halfway through the news conference. If you haven’t noticed, he said, when he makes a mistake, he believes in correcting it quickly. Try something. If it fails, pivot.
“Patience isn’t going to be my strongest suit,” Ishbia said.
That part is about to change, and it might be Ishbia’s biggest test. The Suns have started the last two summers with a coaching search. Asked how this one might be different, Jones said, “time,” admitting that previous searches were not as thorough as the Suns would have liked. Ishbia said the organization will need a head coach who better suits his vision for Suns basketball, someone who’s tough and not afraid to grind.
“I joke, but it’s true, I’m no talent, all heart. That’s my life,” Ishbia said. “I outwork everyone. I’m going to have a coach, a front office, players that the Phoenix community will love. … Because that’s who I am.”
(Photo of Mat Ishbia during a December game against the Indiana Pacers: Mark J. Rebilas / Imagn Images)