Phoenix Suns Owner Rejects ESPN 30-Win Season Prediction

Phoenix Suns owner Mat Ishbia has strongly rejected ESPN insiders' predictions that the Suns will struggle in the 2025-26 NBA season, with the team forecasted to win only 30 games and finish 13th in the Western Conference. Ishbia criticized the experts for being wrong in labeling the Suns as title contenders in the past two seasons, emphasizing his focus on building a tough, gritty team that fans can be proud of despite the roster changes, including the departures of Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal. The Suns have rebuilt around Devin Booker and new players such as Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, and Mark Williams, but ESPN and other analysts doubt their playoff potential given the competitive Western Conference. Ishbia remains confident in the team's future, drawing parallels to the Phoenix Mercury's rise and expressing belief that the Suns will become competitive and eventually championship contenders. Despite the skepticism, Ishbia highlights the talent and potential of the new roster and stresses that the house is not on fire, but rather in a great position to improve. The Suns' recent seasons have fallen short of expectations, and while the current outlook is bleak, Ishbia's comments underscore his commitment to the team's development and resilience against negative media narratives.