Phoenix Suns owner Mat Ishbia delivered a firm message about the future of his franchise cornerstone following the team’s first-round playoff exit to the Oklahoma City Thunder in a sweep.
“Devin Booker is not getting traded,” Ishbia said, shutting down speculation about the guard’s future during his end-of-season press conference.
The Suns owner opened his remarks by reflecting on the organization’s direction over the past year. “Overall, I’m really proud of what we’ve done and accomplished,” he said. “We feel really good about this being a team that everyone can be proud of.”
He pointed to the foundation being built under the current structure. “We feel really good about where we are. At the same time, we’re not anywhere near where we’re going, but we’ve taken the first step for Suns basketball.”
Ishbia emphasized the franchise identity and consistency in effort. “The way we play, the way we compete, the way we care about the fans on and off the court, all those pieces are things we talked about doing differently,” he said. “I hope you guys felt it and saw it.”
He also highlighted fan support throughout the season. “We’ve had 210 straight sellouts,” Ishbia said. “I’m very lucky to have, I think, the best fans in the NBA, Phoenix Suns fans.”
Leadership within the organization was another focal point, with praise directed at key figures in basketball operations. “I’m very lucky to have people not only that think about it but are aligned and believe in the vision,” he said. “We’re one of the best teams in the league on the business side.”
Turning to roster direction, Ishbia stressed continuity and internal growth over drastic change. “This summer, we’re going to focus on continuity,” he said. “Same coach, a lot of the same players, keep building.”
He also reinforced his belief in Devin Booker as the franchise centerpiece. “Devin Booker is our franchise player,” Ishbia said. “He’s going to lead us to a championship here in Phoenix.”
He added, “I’m 1000% behind Devin Booker always… Devin Booker is not getting traded.”
Looking ahead, Ishbia framed the season as a starting point rather than a final measure. “This is the beginning of where we’re going,” he said. “I feel great about that.”
