Michigan State coach Tom Izzo lauds Mat Ishbia's blockbuster trade for Kevin Durant
Michigan State coach Tom Izzo weighed in the blockbuster trade that sent NBA star Kevin Durant and TJ Warren to the Phoenix Suns, which is owned by former Spartan player Mat Ishbia. The trade for Durant involved four teams, and requires the Suns to give up four first-round draft picks.
“Obviously he has been thinking about this before he took over, and he is not afraid to make a move,” Izzo said of Ishbia after Michigan State’s practice on Thursday. “That’s what I said to people out in Phoenix about Mat, Mat’s not in it to have a toy. There are a lot of guys in it to have a toy, and make some money later on. He’s not stupid, but he is in it to win a championship. I promise you that. That’s his mentality, to be the best, and that’s what he is trying to do.”
Izzo spoke with Ishbia by phone on Thursday morning to congratulate his former player on trading for Durant.
“I talked to him earlier this morning, and I told him, that there is nothing like starting out making a splash,” he said. “I thought it was a great move.”
With Durant joining a roster that already includes Devin Booker, Chris Paul, and Deandre Ayton, the Suns should be championship contenders.
“You’ve got Chris Paul there, you’ve got Booker, and you’ve got some people, Ayton,” the Michigan State coach said. “That league is down to the point where you’ve got to strike while the iron is hot and when you’ve got your personnel in place. It is like NFL teams with quarterbacks.
“KD has got some years left, and Booker has got some years left. I don’t know how many years that Chris has left, but why not take it while you can take it and see what happens? In this day and age, hell, maybe in two years those first-round picks won’t mean as much because the salary cap goes up and everything changes.
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Izzo was also asked after practice on Thursday whether having another NBA owner with Michigan State ties is good for the program. Ishbia is one of three Spartan grads that are majority owners of NBA teams, along with Tom Gores (Detroit Pistons) and Dan Gilbert (Cleveland Cavaliers).
“I hope so, and I am going to use it in my recruiting,” Izzo joked. “I am going to tell my players that I have a direct line.”
The trade for Durant took place one day after Ishbia was introduced as the owner of the Suns during a press conference on Wednesday.
“I watched his press conference,” the Michigan State coach said. “I took the time to watch his press conference and I was so proud of him. He did such a good job.”
