Frustrated Doncic requests fan’s ejection in loss

The Phoenix Suns could embark on a “pivot and reload” around Devin Booker this offseason, according to Mat Ishbia. The Suns have had a disappointing season and are expected to trade Kevin Durant and could also revisit their options on Bradley Beal. The Suns’ front office believes the team isn’t as far from contention as the current standings indicate.

As a source close to Ishbia said, “For better or worse, there’s no ‘trust the process’ to Mat Ishbia.”

“I’ll just say that we’re going to evaluate in the offseason,” Ishbia said. “We’re going to find a way to win, and it’s probably a lot easier winning with Kevin Durant than without him. But at the same time, yes, if we’re not good enough in this iteration of the Phoenix Suns, we’re going to find a way to be better next year.”

Ishbia also defended where the Suns are under his leadership.

“People like to say, ‘Oh, he’s too involved.’ What?” said Ishbia, who splits his time between Phoenix and Pontiac, Michigan, where the headquarters of his family’s United Wholesale Mortgage are located. “Honestly, you think I watched film on the players we’re drafting? They say, ‘We like Ryan Dunn.’ I say, ‘OK, how do we get him?’ I don’t watch film, I don’t interview the player. It’s just silly what people talk about.”

Ishbia considers it his obligation as an owner to “give the best resources, give the support, make sure that we make it a destination in Phoenix, create a great fan experience.”

The Milwaukee Bucks have not been told that they shouldn’t show interest in Jimmy Butler. However, that doesn’t mean that Milwaukee will make an offer for Butler either.

Instead, the Bucks are more likely to show interest in acquiring Bradley Beal from the Phoenix Suns. That could be as part of a transaction that ultimately sends Butler to his desired destination of Phoenix, or it could be a separate deal entirely.

Milwaukee previously showed interest in Beal when he was still a member of the Washington Wizards. It’s unknown if the veteran guard would approve a trade to the Bucks or not. And, in order to trade for Beal, Milwaukee would need to get under the second apron to be able to aggregate the necessary salaries in a deal to acquire Beal. That will likely require find a team to take on Pat Connaughton’s $9.4 million contract, without the Bucks taking any salary back.