Suns Owner Mat Ishbia Talks Chris Paul, Isiah Thomas
Phoenix Suns owner Mat Ishbia has been in charge for only a few months now, though his impact has already been felt.
12 hours after officially being introduced as the team's owner, Ishbia helped facilitate the blockbuster deal to land Kevin Durant.
After massively shaking up the roster midseason, changes continued shortly after the Suns departed the postseason in the second round with the dismissal of head coach Monty Williams, who was eventually replaced with Frank Vogel.
The Suns' roster construction continued after another massive deal featured Chris Paul sent to Washington in exchange for Bradley Beal. Free agency additions have also trickled in to form a mostly different team than what Phoenix saw at this time last July.
Ishbia has been considered to be a mostly hands-on owner, though general manager James Jones does do his part in trying to snag a franchise-first NBA title for the Valley.
Yet there's been speculation that Isiah Thomas has been involved in some capacity with Phoenix's decision-making. Thomas has occupied front office roles before but has been followed with controversy, specifically during his tenure with the New York Knicks.
Ishbia addressed the rumors of Thomas joining Phoenix's front office at his introductory press conference, though the flame was ignited again when Paul did an interview with the New York Times after being traded from the Suns and mentioned Thomas' name.
"Seriously, it is part of the business, and what you realize is that no one owes you anything. No matter how you are with them or what you do, you realize that in this business, nobody owes you anything, as it should be. But when it comes through and my son texts me, I realize that, you know, Mat [Ishbia] and Isiah [Thomas], I guess, just wanted to go in a different direction," said Paul.
In an interview with The Arizona Republic's Duane Rankin, Ishbia addressed those comments.
“That had nothing to do with the trade of Chris Paul. Chris Paul was a great part of our organization for years and years and we were lucky to have him and I wish him nothing but the best going forward," said Ishbia.
“When decisions are made in the organization, (team president of basketball operations and GM) James Jones, myself, (CEO) Josh Bartelstein, (head coach) Frank Vogel, our executive team make decisions. Outside people don’t have any role in our decision-making process. They never have, they never will. I’ve asked for advice from a lot of people, specifically Tom Izzo, Isiah Thomas, Mateen Cleaves, Charlie Bell. I talk to a lot of people, but honestly, on this situation, not one of those people were consulted on this decision.”
