Kevin Durant and Mat Ishbia are still exchanging jabs over what happened during Durant’s time in Phoenix, and the latest round played out on social media Saturday.
The back-and-forth began after Ishbia told CNBC that bringing Durant to the Suns wasn’t the right decision in the moment. Ishbia said, "I kind of just threw money at the problem," and added, "Bringing in super talented players like Kevin Durant doesn't necessarily lead to championships."
Durant didn’t let that sit there. On social media, the Rockets forward pushed back hard against the idea that he was somehow the issue in Phoenix.
"Matthew acts like I got arrested for a DUI or [something]," Durant said.
Ishbia then replied, aiming to cool things down a bit while still standing by where the Suns are headed now. He told Durant, "Didn’t blame you...but am happy with the culture we are building here in Phoenix," and followed that with, "We got the right guys and right focus now and are excited for this season. Good luck this season in Houston."
Durant fired back again, saying Ishbia ought to be more appreciative of the fact that he agreed to move on.
"[You] should be giving thanks every chance [you] get," he said. "You don't have to pay me an absurd amount of money to play for another team."
The two have gone from partnership to public friction, and with the Rockets and Suns scheduled to meet three times this season, the first one comes Nov. 7 in Phoenix.
In Other News...
Reed Sheppard Faces A Tough Rockets Reality This Season
Reed Sheppard has done the one thing that usually gets a young guard noticed in preseason: he has kept the ball moving and made shots. His perimeter touch has stood out, and the early returns have only reinforced why the Rockets were intrigued by him in the first place, especially as they try to sort out where he fits in a backcourt that already has established names.
The issue for Sheppard is that Houstons guard room is crowded enough that shooting alone may not be enough to carve out steady minutes. With Marcus Smart, Fred VanVleet and Bogdan Bogdanovic in the mix, the Rockets have more veterans to lean on, and the questions around Sheppards defense only add another layer to the challenge. For a player who looked like he could push for a larger role, the season may end up being more about patience than instant opportunity. [Read more 🡒]
Bogdan Bogdanovic Just Gave Rockets Fans A Real Rotation Debate
The Rockets came into the preseason with a fairly clean-looking picture for the 2026-27 rotation, with nine players seemingly locked in around veterans like Kevin Durant and Alperen Sengun. But Bogdan Bogdanovic, brought in during the offseason, has already made things a little less tidy for Ime Udoka, and that is usually the kind of complication a coach does not mind having when camp winds down.
Bogdanovic helped Houston close the preseason with a win over Oklahoma City, giving the team a strong final look before the games start to count. The Rockets finished 2-1 in exhibition play, but the bigger question now is how Udoka sorts out the minutes behind his top group, especially if Bogdanovic keeps giving the staff a reason to pause before settling on the opening-night plan. [Read more 🡒]
Rockets Playoff Hopes Come With One Backcourt Concern They Can't Ignore
The Rockets enter the offseason with plenty of reasons to believe their core is moving in the right direction, but point guard remains one of the clearest pressure points. Fred VanVleet is set to return from an ACL injury and is still expected to give Houston the steadiness and veteran voice it needs, while Reed Sheppards strong sophomore season gives the team a promising second option. Still, the backcourt picture has been viewed as shaky enough that Houston is already being discussed as a club that may need to get creative.
Amen Thompson could be part of that answer if the Rockets decide to lean into his playmaking more, but there is also a bigger swing on the board if they want a more established fix. Houstons playoff ambitions make the position hard to ignore, and the front office may have to decide whether internal development is enough or whether a trade path is necessary to raise the ceiling of the group. [Read more 🡒]