Image Credit: Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports

“Not a Fit for What We’re Gonna Do” – Mat Ishbia Stuns With Ruthless Verdict On Kevin Durant’s Phoenix Departure

Suns moved on from Kevin Durant

Image Credit: Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports

The Phoenix Suns are entering a new era this season after making big moves to reshape the franchise. The centerpiece of their offseason was trading Kevin Durant to the Houston Rockets in exchange for Jalen Green and Dillon Brooks.

Durant’s time in Phoenix never delivered the success the two sides had hoped for, which ultimately led to the split. Suns owner Mat Ishbia explained the reasoning during an interview on NBA Today.

"[Kevin Durant] just wasn't a fit for what we're doing going forward."

—@Suns owner Mat Ishbia reflects on trading Kevin Durant to the Rockets pic.twitter.com/1DHpg0l5aq
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) September 24, 2025

“Kevin Durant’s a great player, there’s no one that can ever question that,” said Ishbia. “[But he] just wasn’t a fit for what we’re doing going forward.

“Obviously he’s had an amazing career, but he’s not a fit for what we’re gonna do going forward,” Ishbia added.

By completing the deal, the Phoenix Suns acquired a young scorer in Jalen Green along with Dillon Brooks, a proven 3-and-D contributor. They also added Khaman Maluach in the lottery and hired Jordan Ott as their new head coach, signaling a fresh direction for the team.

Kevin Durant reflects on final months

Kevin Durant later shared his perspective on the trade and how it unfolded. According to him, the Phoenix Suns made it known before the deadline that he was on the market.

“I would say around February, the Suns had pretty much let the league know that I was on the market,” Durant told CNBC. “Initially, I was a little upset because I felt like we built a solid relationship, me and the Phoenix Suns.”

“To hear that from a different party was kind of upsetting. But that’s just the name of the game. So, I got over that quickly and was trying to figure out what the next steps were.”

The Golden State Warriors also expressed interest in Kevin Durant at the deadline, but he blocked that potential move. Now, he begins a new chapter with the Rockets, a young team with championship potential.