Sports · Basketball · 25 mins ago
Kevin Durant and Suns owner Mat Ishbia clash over Phoenix stint
Kevin Durant and Phoenix Suns owner Mat Ishbia argued on social media over how to describe Durant’s time with the team.
Ishbia had said he learned that spending heavily on star players without a clear team direction does not guarantee a championship.
Durant replied that he had kept playing at a high level and accused Ishbia of making him a scapegoat.
Durant’s Phoenix teams won one playoff series in two and a half seasons, and the Suns traded him to Houston in 2025.
Ishbia said he did not blame Durant and that Phoenix is now building around a clearer culture and focus.
Durant is entering his second season with the Houston Rockets, while the Suns prepare for the new season.
Kevin Durant and Phoenix Suns owner Mat Ishbia exchanged barbs on social media after Ishbia described the decision to acquire Durant as a lesson in team-building.
Ishbia said he had “threw money at the problem” and that the Suns lacked a defined culture and direction.
Durant objected to how Ishbia framed his time in Phoenix and said he had helped build the culture Ishbia now praised.
Ishbia said he did not blame Durant for the Suns’ failure to meet expectations and said the team was now focused on building the right culture.
Durant played 2½ seasons in Phoenix, where the team won one playoff series, before being traded to Houston in 2025.
- Who
- Kevin Durant and Mat Ishbia, the Phoenix Suns owner.
- What
- They clashed on social media over Ishbia’s comments about Durant’s time with the Suns.
- When
- Saturday, October 17, 2026.
- Where
- The exchange took place on X. Ishbia’s comments about Durant were made in an interview with CNBC Sport.
- Why
- Durant took issue with Ishbia’s framing of his Phoenix tenure. Ishbia said the Suns’ acquisition of Durant was not aligned with his vision and that the team lacked a defined culture.
Kevin Durant
Mat Ishbia
Framing of Durant’s Suns tenure
Kevin Durant
Durant objected to Ishbia’s comments and said he had stayed at the top of his game and helped establish the culture Ishbia praised.
Mat Ishbia
Ishbia said he did not blame Durant but described the acquisition as a lesson and said it was not aligned with his vision.
What drives success
Kevin Durant
Durant’s post suggested that bringing him in helped the Suns build the culture they now value.
Mat Ishbia
Ishbia said talented players alone do not necessarily lead to championships and stressed the importance of a defined culture and direction.
Ishbia bought the Suns and completed a trade for Durant that sent players and draft picks to Brooklyn.
The Suns traded Durant to Houston as part of a seven-team trade.
After Ishbia discussed the Durant acquisition in a CNBC Sport appearance, Durant and Ishbia exchanged posts on X.
- Durant’s Phoenix tenure
- 2½ seasons
- Suns playoff record during tenure
- One playoff series victory
- Durant’s trade to Houston
- 2025 offseason
- Suns purchase valuation
- $4 billion
- Trade to acquire Durant
- Included four unprotected first-round picks and a first-round pick swap
5 sources
Kevin Durant has another social media beef, this time with Suns owner Mat Ishbia
NBA legend Kevin Durant fires back at billionaire owner in ugly social media spat over trade regret
Durant fires back at Ishbia for negative framing of Suns tenure
What people are saying
We have to define what we're about in Phoenix, stick with it and believe in our vision and our path.
There was not a defined culture and North Star where we were going. Therefore, bringing in super-talented players like Kevin Durant doesn't necessarily lead to championships.
Didn't blame you @Kdtrey5, but am happy with the culture we are building here in Phoenix.
#blameKD even though KD stayed on top of his game at 36 and got you back this 'culture' you love so much
Posts on X
#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 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
You obviously didn’t watch the clip. 😂 Didn’t blame you @Kdtrey5, but am happy with the culture we are building here in Phoenix. We got the right guys and right focus now and are excited for this season. Good luck this season in Houston.