PHOENIX — Former Phoenix Suns star Kevin Durant and Suns owner Mat Ishbia traded shots online Saturday, revisiting Durant’s short — and, for some, polarizing — time in the Valley.
Aug 16, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Mercury owner Mat Ishbia in attendance of the game against the Portland Fire at Mortgage Matchup Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
The exchange began after Ishbia reflected on the Suns’ 2023 blockbuster trade for Durant during an interview with CNBC Sport. Ishbia said he initially “threw money at the problem” and acknowledged that adding star talent doesn’t always lead to championships.
Durant, a 16-time All-Star, responded on X, taking issue with the suggestion that the trade represented a failed approach. He also wrote that Ishbia seemingly came after him as if he had been arrested for a DUI — a remark many interpreted as a jab at Suns forward Dillon Brooks.
“#blameKD even though KD stayed on top of his game at 36 and got u back this ‘culture’ you love so much,” Durant wrote.
Ishbia responded, writing that Durant had misunderstood the interview.
“You obviously didn’t watch the clip,” Ishbia wrote. “Didn’t blame you @Kdtrey5, but am happy with the culture we are building here in Phoenix.”
Durant wasn’t finished.
In another post, Durant wrote that Ishbia should be thankful he didn’t have to pay him “an absurd amount of money to play for another team.” While most of the exchange unfolded on X, Brooks took his thoughts to Instagram.
Apr 7, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Houston Rockets forward Kevin Durant (7) against the Phoenix Suns at Mortgage Matchup Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Brooks, who joined the Suns in the trade that sent Durant to Houston before the 2025-26 season, wrote on an Instagram story, “Thanks Matt for cleaning up that stench in the locker room before I came #culture.”
Durant’s earlier reference to a DUI appeared to be a reference to Brooks’ arrest on suspicion of driving under the influence in Scottsdale in March, and he later faced charges stemming from the incident.
Apr 7, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Houston Rockets forward Kevin Durant (7) argues with Phoenix Suns forward Dillon Brooks (3) in the first half at Mortgage Matchup Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
The exchange highlights the lingering tensions surrounding Phoenix’s decision to acquire Durant and its subsequent move to trade him. Fans continue to debate whether Durant brought the Suns closer to a championship or simply failed to fit the mold the franchise envisioned when it made the blockbuster deal.
Now, with the Suns and Rockets scheduled to meet twice this season — Nov. 7, Nov. 25, and Feb. 5, 2027 — the online feud adds another layer of intrigue to an already anticipated matchup.