“I want to do it, and I want to do it here,” Devin Booker’s passion-filled words echoed the deep bond he shares with Phoenix. A city that has stood by him since he was 18, through every high and low. Wearing that jersey for him was more than a statement; it was a declaration of pride. While his commitment has always been crystal clear, the rumors of uncertainty surrounding his future with the franchise grew. But now the wait is over as a national reporter has confirmed what’s next for Booker. Ready for it?
The major topic of discussion on The Hoop Collective Podcast was, “What does the future hold for Phoenix?” Their season hasn’t gone as expected. Despite the buzz surrounding a potential Jimmy Butler trade, nothing substantial has been done to make a real impact on the team. Amid all the low morale, a trade might be the solution. Even Tim MacMahon revealed that the Rockets are interested in Booker. But wait, does the majority owner of the Suns, Mat Ishbia, approve of the idea?
“This summer, everything is on the table for Phoenix with the exception of a Devin Booker trade,” MacMahon stated. “..He’s determined to see this thing through and get this thing back on the right side, and they are determined to do that with him.” MacMahon couldn’t recall Ishbia’s exact words opposing a roster rebuild. So, his co-host Tim Bontemps pulled out the quote to read it. “It surprised me that other people, other fans, they actually like the rebuilding process, Ishbia said, and McMahon had an emphasis on like, oh, let’s rebuild it.” At this point, MacMahon interrupted, showing with his expression just how strongly Ishbia was against trading Booker.
Bontemps then continued reading Ishbia’s comment, “Are you crazy? You think I’m going to go for seven years and try to get there?… I want us to win today, and we’re going to try. Although, let’s say this doesn’t work, guess what? Maybe next year we won’t be as good, but we’re going to try again. The next opportunity we have, we’re going to try and compete, and it might work. We will win championships here in Phoenix. It might not be this year, but I promise you we’re going to do it, and that’s what we’re focused on.” So what does this sum up?
Feb 28, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) looks on against the New Orleans Pelicans during the first half at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images
Ishbia is against a long-term rebuilding process and wants to win now. He’s determined to compete. Even if they don’t win the championship this time, they can try again next time, but not at the cost of trading Devin Booker, that’s for sure. But this wasn’t the only point from the discussion. MacMahon also disclosed that there are underlying trust issues with the ownership.
Reporter sheds light on trust issues surrounding Suns’ ownership
Mat Ishbia became the majority owner in February 2023, and his first major move was to acquire Kevin Durant, with a clear focus on winning the Larry O’Brien Trophy. Then he went for Bradley Beal. But nothing worked for the team yet. His “all-in” approach, rather than a patient rebuild, has led to some trust issues within the organization.
“Somebody close to Ishbia told me there is no trust in the process with Mat Ishbia,” MacMahon said. “He is like, ‘Dude, there’s no patient rebuild here. It is going to be, I don’t give a damn what it costs, we are all in every single season, put on the gas, trying to be as good as possible every single year. We’re going to win championships.’”
The reporter believes there could be a criticism of Ishbia’s lack of patience, as it might hurt the Suns’ long-term success. “The people in the front office there, the thing they push back on, there’s a couple things they push back on,” MacMahon added, “One, this idea that it’s just Ishbia saying, ‘Do this, do this, do this.’ He’s responsible for the philosophy, all in, and he’s responsible for the financing… So they kind of— the picture of new owner syndrome, dictator, that portrayal—they definitely pushed back on that.”
The Phoenix Suns have a lot to deal with, and Mat Ishbia’s rushing isn’t helping the team. They are currently in 11th place in the West, and it doesn’t seem like they have much of a chance to qualify for the playoffs. So, it remains to be seen what steps Ishbia will take to address the situation going forward.
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