Mat Ishbia won't be forced to sell the Phoenix Suns (for now, at least), and he also won't be trading Devin Booker to the Detroit Pistons anytime soon either. The mortgage mogul was recently giving a talk to what appeared to be college students in his native Detroit and was asked if he would ever consider trading Booker to Detroit. His answer?
"When I'm dead". Definitive.
Suns’ Owner Matt Ishbia Makes It Abundantly Clear That Devin Booker Will Never Wear A Detroit Pistons Uniform.
— Downtown Deuce (@DowntownDeuce) August 27, 2026
Booker Will Make 63M Next Year & 68M The Following Year. Thoughts? 🔵🔴👇#DetroitBasketball pic.twitter.com/hb2vjEemSe
Ishbia playfully shuts down Booker trade idea while giving talk
Ishbia was never going to reveal in this nicely lit room full of strangers that he would consider trading Booker, but this is just the latest example of a stance that has never wavered. The Suns are as committed to their superstar as ever, and despite the fanbase not agreeing with every move they have made this offseason, each move was designed to carve out more wins and make the playoffs.
You don't trade for Miles Bridges and all the negative press that brings unless you believe he can add a few extra wins to your record.
The same applies to Collin Gillespie, Jordan Goodwin, Mark Williams, and Dillon Brooks, all four of whom either received a new deal to return or an extension to remain in The Valley. Even Coach Jordan Ott was hired because he can help Booker go on another postseason run, as he is a defensive-minded coach who is building a two-way roster around Booker's elite scoring skills.
From the player's perspective, he has never given the slightest indication he wants to skip town, and having his owner come out and bat for him, and every opportunity has to feel good as the Suns struggle to get back to contention.
True point guard would prove Ishbia will do anything for Booker
Not to pour cold water over this love-in between owner and star player, but Ishbia needs to get Booker an actual point guard to share the backcourt with if he's never going to trade him.
The pressure is on Jalen Green for different reasons this coming season, and he is never going to be the playmaker that Booker needs alongside him to excel. Ironically, the Pistons could give him just that in the form of Cade Cunningham, but that does not even bear thinking about.
Ishbia is never trading Booker, but as long as he is in Phoenix, he needs to do more to keep the 29-year-old from having a wandering eye or, worse yet, a Damian Lillard-style flameout.
Add us as a preferred source on Google