Kevin Durant and Suns owner Mat Ishbia exchange posts over his Phoenix tenure

Houston Rockets forward Kevin Durant and Phoenix Suns owner Mat Ishbia exchanged social-media posts on Saturday, October 17, after Durant objected to Ishbia’s account of Phoenix’s 2023 trade for him. The dispute brought renewed attention to why the Suns changed direction after three seasons without a championship during Durant’s tenure.

In a CNBC Sport interview released October 15, Ishbia said he had ‘kind of just threw money at the problem’ when the Suns acquired Durant. He said the franchise lacked a defined culture and direction at the time, and that bringing in a player of Durant’s ability did not necessarily produce a championship, according to RG.org’s account of the interview.

What Durant and Ishbia said

Ishbia replied that Durant had not watched the clip and said, ‘Didn't blame you @Kdtrey5.’ He said he was happy with the culture Phoenix was building, praised its current focus and wished Durant well in Houston. Durant answered that Ishbia should be giving thanks and added that the owner no longer had to pay him ‘an absurd amount of money’ to play for another team, the AP reported.

How Phoenix’s Durant era ended

Ishbia’s purchase of the Suns was finalized on February 7, 2023. Two days later, Phoenix agreed to acquire Durant from the Brooklyn Nets in a deal involving Mikal Bridges, Cameron Johnson and multiple first-round draft picks, RG.org reported. The move paired Durant with Devin Booker as the Suns pursued a title.

Phoenix reached the second round of the playoffs in 2023, was swept in the first round in 2024 and missed the postseason in 2025. The Suns traded Durant to Houston in the ensuing offseason. Those results provide the backdrop to Ishbia’s assessment of the acquisition, while leaving Durant’s individual play separate from the team’s playoff record.

Ishbia described the Durant acquisition as a move that was not aligned with his vision. He said he then decided to trade Durant, appoint his own general manager and coach, and become more involved in choosing the people in the organisation. The Suns subsequently hired Brian Gregory as general manager and Jordan Ott as head coach, according to the AP.

Ishbia named Booker, Dillon Brooks, Jordan Goodwin and Collin Gillespie while explaining the qualities he now values on the roster. The AP reported that Phoenix finished last season 45-37 and reached the first round of the playoffs with a core that included Booker, Brooks and Jalen Green. Durant, who turned 38 on September 29, is preparing for his second season with the Rockets, RG.org reported.