Phoenix Suns owner Mat Ishbia isn’t exactly shying away from the spotlight these days, and in a recent interview with The Lowe Post, he took the opportunity to address a couple of topics that have been buzzing around the NBA rumor mill - namely, the chatter surrounding a potential trade for Hornets forward Miles Bridges and the perceived influence of Hall of Famer Isiah Thomas within the Suns organization.
Let’s start with Thomas.
The longtime NBA figure - known just as much for his controversial front office tenure with the Knicks as he is for his legendary playing career - has been linked to the Suns in recent months. Some around the league have speculated that Thomas might be sliding into a more formal role in Phoenix’s front office. But according to Ishbia, that’s not the case.
“No, Isiah is a friend of mine,” Ishbia said. “I talk to Isiah just like I talk to Tom Izzo, just like I talk to Draymond Green.
I talk to all my basketball connections through my life. Nobody has a formal title.”
That’s a key point from Ishbia - he’s not denying that Thomas is in his ear, but he’s framing it more as friendly basketball talk than any sort of official advisory role. Think of it like a group chat of hoop heads, not a boardroom.
“Isiah has no formal title,” Ishbia continued. “I think he’s a great guy, I think he’s got a lot of great insights, but just like Tom Izzo does.”
That won’t entirely quiet the skepticism from fans who remember Thomas’ time running the Knicks. From the ill-fated Eddy Curry trade that cost New York two first-round picks, to overpaying role players like Jared Jeffries, Thomas’ decisions left a mark - and not the good kind. So it’s understandable that Suns fans might raise an eyebrow at the idea of him having any input, formal or not, in roster decisions.
Especially when you consider the Suns are still trying to recalibrate after their superteam experiment fizzled out. Trading away Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal this past offseason marked a clear shift in direction. And with Devin Booker sidelined, it’s been on players like Dillon Brooks to help Phoenix stay competitive - which, to their credit, they’ve managed to do, including a recent win over the Pistons.
That brings us to the next big question: Is Phoenix eyeing a move for Miles Bridges?
Rumors have been swirling, and while Ishbia didn’t confirm anything, he didn’t exactly slam the door shut either.
“He’s a great player and a winner on the court,” Ishbia said of Bridges. “He believes in a lot of things we do, but there’s nothing to it right now. There’s nothing even close that we’re talking about.”
So, translation: the Suns aren’t actively negotiating, but they’re clearly keeping tabs on the situation. And Ishbia made it clear that while the trade deadline is approaching fast, Phoenix isn’t feeling pressure to make a move just for the sake of it.
“We like our team. We like our guys,” he said.
Still, he left the door open for future moves - particularly if the right fit comes along.
“If a good opportunity comes up, whether it’s a position that we need,” Ishbia added, “but it’s got to be aligned with the age that we’re building and the toughness, and the type of guys we want.”
That last part is telling. The Suns aren’t just looking for talent - they’re looking for the right kind of talent.
Guys who match their culture, their timeline, and their identity. It’s a subtle but important shift from the all-in, star-chasing approach that defined their recent past.
For now, the Suns are focused on the present - and that means Friday night’s matchup against the Cleveland Cavaliers. But don’t be surprised if the offseason brings more fireworks.
Ishbia’s not afraid to make bold moves. He just wants to make sure they’re the right ones.