Matt Ishbia explains Isiah Thomas’ role with the Suns

In a recent interview with Zach Lowe of The Ringer, Phoenix Suns owner Mat Ishbia addressed trade rumors surrounding Charlotte Hornets forward Myles Bridges and his relationship with the Hall of Fame guard, Isiah Thomas. Thomas, an NBA broadcaster who was the previous GM and CEO of the Toronto Raptors and New York Knicks, was widely criticized for his job as the Knicks’ president of basketball operations from 2003 to 2008.

Ishbia’s ties to Thomas have led some to believe Isiah is on the verge of a role in the Suns’ front office, a report that the team owner deniedaccording to The Ringer’s The Zach Love Show.

“No, Isiah is my friend. I talk to Isiah just like I talk to Tom Isiah, just like I talk to Draymond Green. I talk to all my basketball connections throughout my life. Nobody has a formal title,” Ishbia said. “But like anybody, if somebody bought a mortgage company and they called me and said, ‘Hey, Matt’s my friend, what would you do?’ I would give my thoughts, talk to people and bounce things off people.

“Isiah doesn’t have a formal title. I think he’s a great guy, I think he has a lot of great insights, but just like Tom Izzo has,” Ishbia concluded.

Isiah Thomas has a bad reputation in NBA front offices for making bad decisions with teams like the Knicks. During his time there, he traded for Eddie Curry, giving up two first-round picks. He’s also had some bad signings over the years, like giving Jared Jeffries a $30 million contract.

Coming off a failed Suns superteam that saw Phoenix trade Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal during the offseason, the thought of seeing Ishby line up with Thomas can understandably upset fans.

Matt Ishbia addressed the Suns’ Miles Bridges trade rumors

Without All-Star Devin Booker, Dillon Brooks and the Suns achieved success lately, including an impressive win against the Pistons. However, will Matt Ishby of the Suns insist on a trade with the Hornets for Miles Bridges? Ishbia would not confirm or deny the rumors surrounding Bridges, but had nothing but good things to say about the Hornets forward, according to The Zach Love Show.

“He’s a great player and a winner on the pitch. He believes in a lot of the things we’re doing, but right now he doesn’t have any of that. There’s nothing even close to what we’re talking about,” Ishbia said. “And I know there are a lot of bigger trades that a lot of teams are talking about right now that might keep the others, but the truth is we like our team. We like our guys.”

While Ishbia ruled out the Suns making a move before next week’s deadline, that could change during the offseason.

“If a good opportunity presents itself, whether it’s a position we need,” Ishbia added. “But it has to be aligned with the age we’re building and the toughness and the type of guys we want.

The Suns will host the Cavs on Friday.