Kevin Durant didn’t let Mat Ishbia’s latest remarks about the Suns’ trade for him go unanswered.
After the Phoenix owner told CNBC Sport’s Alex Sherman that dealing for Durant in February 2023 showed him the need to build a “defined culture” before adding a marquee player, Durant took to social media Saturday and pushed back hard. He argued that he was part of creating the very culture Ishbia was talking about.
“#blameKD even though KD stayed on top of his game at 36 and got u back this “culture” you love so much. Aye, Matthew acts like I got arrested for a DUI or sumn. Back to threads 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 https://t.co/oy6PZrBC2n”
Durant’s run in Phoenix lasted parts of three seasons, and the numbers were still strong. The 16-time All-Star averaged 26.8 points, 6.3 boards, 4.6 assists, and 1.2 blocks during his time with the Suns. Even so, the team managed only one playoff series win and then missed the postseason entirely in Durant’s final year there.
Phoenix moved him to the Houston Rockets in July 2025 in a historic seven-team trade. After Durant was gone, the Suns bounced right back to the playoffs, winning nine more games than the season before. Their return was brief, though, as Oklahoma City swept them in the opening round.
Ishbia, despite the shot at the Durant era, said he feels good about where the franchise is headed. He pointed to the kind of players and people Phoenix is trying to assemble now.
“You got to find guys and people that are aligned with the vision of where we're going, the work ethic, the attitude, the care factor around winning, the grind every single day. And that's what we're looking for in Phoenix,” Ishbia said.
“Whether it's Kevin Durant or not, it doesn't really matter. It's all about the type of players that we have, and now we've defined it, and so now we only get those type of players.”
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