Kevin Durant takes shot at Suns owner Mat Ishbia on X
Durant's X post came after Ishbia reflected on the blockbuster trade for Durant during a recent appearance on CNBC Sport.
Owner Mat Ishbia, Kevin Durant and general manager James Jones of the Phoenix Suns pose for a photo at a press conference at Footprint Center on February 16, 2023, in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images)
(Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images)
Former Phoenix Suns superstar Kevin Durant fired back on social media Saturday after owner Mat Ishbia publicly categorized trading for the 16-time All-Star as part of a failed early strategy of throwing “money at the problem.”
“#blameKD even though KD stayed on top of his game at 36 and got u back this ‘culture’ you love so much,” Durant wrote on X. “Aye, Matthew acts like I got arrested for a DUI or sumn.”
#blameKD even though KD stayed on top of his game at 36 and got u back this “culture” you love so much. Aye, Matthew acts like I got arrested for a DUI or sumn. Back to threads 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
— Kevin Durant (@KDTrey5) October 17, 2026
Ishbia later responded to Durant’s post, writing on X Saturday, “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.”
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.
— Mat Ishbia (@Mishbia15) October 17, 2026
Durant later clapped back with another rebuttal, writing on X, “U should be giving Thanks every chance u get. You don’t have to pay me an absurd amount of money to play for another team.”
U should be giving Thanks every chance u get. You don’t have to pay me an absurd amount of money to play for another team.
— Kevin Durant (@KDTrey5) October 17, 2026
Ishbia, who took over controlling ownership of the Suns in February 2023, reflected on the blockbuster trade for Durant that took place just days after the ownership acquisition during a recent appearance on CNBC Sport.
Matt Ishbia admits trading for Kevin Durant was a mistake:
“I kind of just threw money at the problem… Bringing in super talented players like Kevin Durant doesn’t necessarily lead to championships.”
(Via @CNBCSport) https://t.co/8tKQosqtwx
— NBABase (@TheNBABase) October 17, 2026
“There was not a defined culture and North Star where we were going, and therefore bringing in super talented players like Kevin Durant doesn’t necessarily lead to championships,” Ishbia said.
“You’ve got to find guys and people that are aligned with the vision of where we’re going: the work ethic, the attitude, the care factor around winning, the grind every single day. And that’s what we’re looking for in Phoenix. Whether it’s Kevin Durant, or not. It doesn’t really matter. It’s all about the type of players that we have. And now we’ve defined it, and so now we only get those type of players.”
Ishbia acknowledged that reshaping the team’s identity was the “biggest lesson” from his first three years steering the franchise.
“We have to define what we’re about in Phoenix, and then stick with it, and believe in our vision and our path,” Ishbia said. “And I didn’t do that at the beginning. I just kind of threw money at the problem.
“Now I got personally involved with every decision from the 14th man on the roster to the first man on the roster. Every aspect of it. Fan experience, players, coaches, and I’m putting my heart and soul into it. Will it deliver a championship tomorrow? I don’t know, but I know we’re doing it the right way with the right type of people that the city of Phoenix would be proud of the way we play.”
Durant played 145 games for the Suns over two-and-a-half seasons in the Valley following the February 2023 trade. The Suns failed to advance past the second round of the playoffs during Durant’s first season in Phoenix. The next year saw Durant and the Suns swept in the first round of the playoffs by the Minnesota Timberwolves. In Durant’s final season in the Valley, the Suns finished 11th in the Western Conference and failed to qualify for the postseason.
The Suns shipped him to the Houston Rockets in July 2025 as part of a seven-team trade, the largest in NBA history.
Durant is entering his second season in Houston after signing a two-year, $90 million extension that includes a player option.
His first year in Houston culminated with Second Team All-NBA honors after playing in 78 games (his most since 2018-19 in Golden State), while averaging 26 points, 5.5 rebounds and 4.8 assists.
The Rockets open their regular season Wednesday when they host the Dallas Mavericks, while the Suns’ season begins in Portland against the Trail Blazers on Wednesday.
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Comments
2 Comments
KD is one of the best scorers of all time, but does he actually think he is a culture setter?? He has never gone to a team a set a culture. He went to GS where Draymond and Steph had already built the culture. He's a scorer. He came to Phx and scored. He went to Houston and scored, and talked behind his teammates back. Is that setting a culture??
“Matthew”🤣🤣🤣