Former Phoenix Suns owner Jerry Colangelo recently shared his thoughts on the ownership journey of Mat Ishbia. Colangelo, known for shaping the Suns into a successful franchise, commented that Ishbia is currently going through a steep learning curve.
“I think maybe when he first bought the team, he wanted to make a little splash, which was kind of customary when people take over an organization,” Colangelo said, via Arizona Sports. “In retrospect, he maybe would have done the same thing, maybe not. Again, he has to learn, sometimes the hard way.”
While acknowledging Ishbia’s bold moves, Colangelo believes the Suns’ new owner will ultimately succeed in the long run. He praised Ishbia’s commitment to the franchise, noting that the current struggles don’t define the owner’s future.
“I believe in him in terms of the long-term future of the franchise because he’s committed,” Colangelo added.
Ishbia, who finalized the $4 billion purchase of the Phoenix Suns and the Phoenix Mercury in December 2022, made history by setting the record for the most expensive NBA franchise sale. The deal surpassed the $2.35 billion mark set by Joe Tsai’s purchase of the Brooklyn Nets in 2019.
Taking control of the Suns from Robert Sarver in February 2023, Ishbia was tasked with leading the team into a new era. His first major move was hiring head coach Frank Vogel, but the 2022-2023 season ended in a second-round playoff loss to the Denver Nuggets.
The 2023-2024 season brought more changes, with the trade of Deandre Ayton to the Portland Trail Blazers. Despite these efforts, the Suns failed to secure a playoff spot. Currently, the Suns (26-29) are still struggling in the 11th spot in the Western Conference.
Ishbia’s tenure has been marked by significant roster changes. Notable trades include acquiring Kevin Durant and T.J. Warren from the Brooklyn Nets in February 2023, sending a mix of players and draft picks in return. The Suns also added Bradley Beal from the Washington Wizards in June 2023, aiming to boost their scoring potential.
In September 2023, the Suns traded for Jusuf Nurkic and Grayson Allen, addressing frontcourt depth and adding perimeter shooting. In February 2025, Nurkic was sent to the Charlotte Hornets for Cody Martin and a second-round pick, further reshaping the roster.
These moves reflect Ishbia’s determination to build a championship contender. However, as Colangelo notes, this journey will come with valuable lessons and challenges that the owner must learn from.
The Suns’ future remains uncertain, but with Ishbia’s investment in talent and team-building, the path forward will likely include more growth and, hopefully, success for the franchise.
