How will the Suns react after the slap received in the first round of the playoffs against the Wolves? Mat Ishbia, the owner of the franchise, took the floor to give an initial assessment of this disappointing season. But it is precisely this point that delights him: there were expectations around his team and not winning the title causes a mixed feeling.
“I like the fact that people are frustrated because we didn't win the title. This means that we are in the race,” he says. “I'm happy with that, seeing people's disappointment and, believe me, no one in the franchise is more disappointed than me, my GM, my players and my coach. Everyone is, like the fans. I'm going to own this team for 50 years and for 45, 46 or 47 years, we will undoubtedly have this discussion and we will be disappointed. This is how it works and I love it. »
But what about the future? The Kevin Durant – Devin Booker – Bradley Beal trio will be worth $150 million next season, and the Suns’ room for maneuver is limited. Without forgetting that the Draft choices are fewer after the transfers of Durant and Beal. Here again, Mat Ishbia wants to go against this presentation.
“It was never: the title or nothing”
“It feels like the house is burning, but that’s not true,” assures the owner. “In five of the next eight years, we have our first round of Draft. I know this goes against what people are saying, since it says we don't have any draft picks, but we have five out of eight and we can transfer two of them next month. So, in terms of flexibility, we are not in the situation that people describe. »
So no reason to panic or regret? “If we look at the transfers made with James Jones (the GM), we would do the same, 100%. Not 99%, but 100%”insists Mat Ishbia. “We are satisfied and proud of our exchanges. Did we think it would be easy? No. But do we have any chances for next season? Yes. And if it wasn't the case, I would say so. »
The owner assures“it was never: the title or nothing”. He believes that it is not “not difficult to correct” the problems of this group, which has “enough talent to win the title”. But with or without Frank Vogel? The coach would be in danger, after a season where he gradually lost his locker room. The owner of the Suns made no specific comments, neither positive nor negative, about his coach…
