Kevin Durant didn’t hold back when Suns owner Mat Ishbia framed his time in Phoenix as a misstep. Durant took to X on Saturday to fire back, saying, ‘#blameKD even though KD stayed on top of his game at 36 and got u back this ‘culture’ you love so much.’ He added, ‘Aye, Matthew acts like I got arrested for a DUI or sumn.’
Ishbia quickly responded, clarifying that he never blamed Durant for the Suns’ struggles. ‘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,’ he posted.
This exchange comes after Ishbia’s recent comments on CNBC Sport, where he reflected on acquiring Durant shortly after buying the team in 2023. Ishbia admitted that throwing money at the problem without a clear vision was a mistake. ‘What I’ve learned, my biggest lesson is it’s not positive or negative on Kevin Durant,’ he said. ‘We have to define what we’re about in Phoenix, stick with it and believe in our vision and our path.’
Durant’s tenure in Phoenix yielded only one playoff series win in two and a half seasons. He was traded to the Rockets in 2025 as part of a massive seven-team deal. Despite the move, Durant has continued to perform at an elite level, averaging 26 points and shooting over 50% from the field in his final season with the Suns.
Ishbia emphasized that the Durant acquisition wasn’t aligned with his long-term vision. He’s since focused on building a defined culture, bringing in new leadership like GM Brian Gregory and coach Jordan Ott. ‘There was not a defined culture and North Star where we were going,’ Ishbia noted. ‘Therefore, bringing in super-talented players like Kevin Durant doesn’t necessarily lead to championships.’
