Matt Ishbia trades shots with Bill Simmons for a Phoenix turnaround

Phoenix Suns owner Matt Ishbia publicly sparred with an NBA analyst Bill Simmons on Wednesday after the team surpassed his preseason win projection well before the All-Star break. With Phoenix at 32–22, Ishbia pointed out that the Suns have already settled Simmons’ 31.5 win projection for 2025–26.

In a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, Ishbia referenced the team’s strong first half while directly tagging Simmons.

“32 wins for the Suns and all before the All-Star break… I think that puts us above your season prediction/under 31.5 win bet @BillSimmons! 👀 You guys usually have great content and good stuff… thank you for all you do. But also keep an eye on the Suns, like I told you… we have a different culture, but we still have a different culture and we work hard on those days. there Go Suns!”

Simmons responded by congratulating the Suns, noting that he projected a 50-plus win season for Phoenix last year before the team finished 36–46 and missed the postseason.

The trade marks a dramatic turnaround from last season’s disappointing 11th-place finish in the Western Conference. After going 36–46, the Suns launched a significant cultural reset focused on roster construction and internal accountability.

That overhaul included the blockbuster multi-team trade that sent away Kevin Durant and brought back Dillon Brooks and Jalen Green as part of the return package. Brooks has emerged as one of the tone-setters in Phoenix, providing physical defense and consistent scoring on the wing. Green, meanwhile, has appeared in just seven games this season due to multiple injuries, but remains part of the franchise’s long-term plans.

The Suns’ offseason signings reinforce Matt Ishbia’s vision for change

Phoenix also added frontcourt depth with Mark Williams and bolstered its rotation with Jordan Goodwin, moves that reinforced Ishbia’s emphasis on reshaping the team’s identity. Williams provided interior size and rebounding, while Goodwin provided defensive intensity and backcourt versatility.

The Suns’ renewed focus on cohesion and accountability has led to results. At 32–22, Phoenix sits in seventh place in the Western Conference and has already surpassed Simmons’ preseason total. The team relied on improved depth, defensive pressure and a balanced offensive approach to stabilize after last year’s instability.

While the Suns remain a work in progress, Ishbia’s public confidence reflects faith in the direction of the organization. The franchise prioritized culture, something Ishbia emphasized in his comments on social media.

Phoenix will close out the first half of the season on Wednesday night against the reigning NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder (41–13) at 6:00 PM PT before heading to All-Star Weekend at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles.

The Suns’ turnaround hasn’t erased last season’s disappointment, but it has shifted the conversation — including among national analysts who questioned their trajectory entering the year.