Mat Ishbia Calls Suns' Season 'Embarrassing,' Promises Team Will Win 'Championships'

Phoenix Suns governor Mat Ishbia acknowledged the organization's failings Thursday, but he also vowed to return to prominence in the future.

Speaking to reporters Thursday, Ishbia called the Suns' 2024-25 campaign an "embarrassing season," adding, "We've gotta do stuff different and change for the better. ... It wasn't fun to watch. ... I'm here for it. I'm here to be accountable."

Despite the Suns' struggles this season, Ishbia also insisted that the franchise will win multiple titles moving forward, saying: "I promise you we will. I promise you we will win championships, with an 'S' at the end."

Phoenix entered the 2024-25 season with high expectations thanks to the presence of a core made up of Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal, but the year turned out to be an unmitigated disaster.

The Suns went a disappointing 36-46, finishing 11th in the Western Conference failing to make it into even the postseason play-in tournament.

That ended the Suns' streak of four consecutive playoff appearances, and now they face a potential rebuild this offseason with Durant and Beal being prime trade candidates.

Ishbia officially purchased the Suns in 2023, less than two years after their third NBA Finals appearance in franchise history.

The Suns acquired Durant in a trade with the Brooklyn Nets during the 2022-23 campaign in an effort to get over the hump, but they were eliminated in the second round of the playoffs that season and the first round the following season.

Given the draft capital the Suns have traded in recent years to acquire Durant and Beal, moving them may be their best hope at recouping some of it.

ESPN's Shams Charania reported this week that the Suns are "expected to engage in trade conversations" involving KD, who figures to be highly sought after on the trade market as one of the greatest scorers in NBA history.

The Suns also already made a big change, firing head coach Mike Budenholzer this week after only one season on the job.

It is difficult to envision the Suns being top contenders in the Western Conference any time soon, but if they make some savvy trades and the right hire at head coach, a quick retool of the roster isn't outside the realm of possibility.