Phoenix Suns and Mercury owner Mat Ishbia is no stranger to having one of his team’s stripped bare and experiencing quick success. Just look at how the Mercury, with only one retained player from their 2024 roster (Kahleah Copper), made it all the way to the 2025 WNBA Finals.
Ahead of the Suns’ season opener against the Sacramento Kings, Ishbia said on Friday the end result may not look identical but the consistent “process” that went into that unexpected leap will be.
“You’re going to see success and the wins, the losses, the championships, that stuff’s coming,” Ishbia told Arizona Sports’ Burns & Gambo. “But that’s not the only measurement this year.”
A first-year coach (Jordan Ott) and general manager (Brian Gregory) have the full backing and trust of Ishbia to foster a dynamic roster in an increasingly “positionless” NBA.
With championships not realistically the expectation in Year 1 with Ott and Gregory, Ishbia said he still expects a group of players that “compete” and don’t give up even when they face Western Conference foes that are superior on paper.
“We want to make sure that it’s a team that competes, that’s grinding, that wants to win, that doesn’t just cash in because it looks like we’re down by too much,” Ishbia said. “(That’s) not what we are here in Phoenix. That identity is set and it’s very clear and I’m excited for everyone to watch it.”
The owner said he does have a win total in mind, but only alluded to it as “hopefully better than what a lot of these national pundits think.”
Ishbia bullish on Mark Williams with Suns
Mark Williams, the 23-year-old center Phoenix acquired from Charlotte during the 2025 draft, didn’t receive a rookie contract extension on Monday but to Ishbia that doesn’t diminish his value to the team.
“We didn’t trade for Mark to have him for one year. Let’s make that very clear,” Ishbia said. “We want Mark to be here for the long term. He’s 23, not 33. And so, we’re excited about what Mark’s going to do, what he brings, his size, his athleticism.”
Williams has a lengthy injury history but the Suns have been calculated with the offseason work and have him available for the season opener at the newly renamed Mortgage Matchup Center.
Suns injury update
One other offseason acquisition, guard Jalen Green, will not be available for at least Friday’s game with a right hamstring strain.
Coach Ott said pregame Grayson Allen, who is listed as probable with left hip soreness, is “on pace” to play against the Kings.
Suns-Kings tips off at 7 p.m. and can be heard on 98.7 and the Arizona Sports app.