Stephen A. Smith slams Suns’ Mat Ishbia: 'worst owner in the history of basketball'

PHOENIX — ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith didn’t hold back Tuesday morning on First Take, delivering a scathing critique of Phoenix Suns owner Mat Ishbia in response to the franchise’s decision to fire head coach Mike Budenholzer after just one season.

The segment, originally discussing Budenholzer and Kevin Durant’s blame, quickly shifted focus to the team’s instability under Ishbia’s ownership. The firing marked the third coaching change in as many seasons for the Suns under Ishbia, who purchased the team in February 2023.

“I don’t know Mat Ishbia, the owner for the Phoenix Suns; Josh Bartelstein the CEO for the Phoenix Suns,” Smith said. “We are going to omit or remove James Jones from this equation because he was there when they went to the Finals, so he obviously has a clue about what he’s doing. We ain’t gone put him in this mix.”

“Mat Ishbia needs to understand that right now, you are on the verge of being recognized as the worst owner in the history of basketball,” Smith continued. “That’s saying a lot. Donald Sterling once owned an NBA franchise. James Dolan, until he recently hired Leon Rose, was on that trajectory. That’s the trajectory, if you’re Mat Ishbia, that you are on right now.”

Smith’s comments underscore a growing national frustration with how Phoenix’s front office has operated in the past three season. Since Ishbia took over, he has aggressively reshaped the team, traded away most of their draft capital, burned through three head coaches, and now face a murky future.

Now, rumors are swirling about Durant’s future, Bradley Beal’s fit remains unclear, and Devin Booker, the last remaining core piece from the 2021 Finals run, stands surrounded by uncertainty. What once looked like a title window now resembles a revolving door.

For Smith, the problems start at the very top — and now his words are echoing through the Valley.

Full clip of Stephen A. Smith talking on First Take’s Twitter.