Fresh off one of their biggest wins of the season, a 108-105 thriller over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday, Phoenix Suns owner Mat Ishbia shot down the prospect of trading away polarizing forward Dillon Brooks.
Former star NBA center Demarcus Cousins, on Fan Duel’s “Run It Back” with Michelle Beadle, Chandler Parsons and Lou Williams, quibbled with the idea of the Los Angeles Lakers trading star guard Austin Reaves for Brooks.
“In a heartbeat,” Cousins said. “He’s a culture changer. He’s a proven winner… Brooks fits exactly what the Lakers need right now… Why wouldn’t you do it?”
Although his co-hosts disagreed with him vehemently, Ishbia quoted the post on X (formerly Twitter), shutting down the offer altogether.
“Don’t bother calling… Suns aren’t interested. Dillon’s not going anywhere,” the Phoenix owner said.
Comparing Brooks, Reaves this season
Brooks and Reaves are having to varying but equally productive seasons.
The gritty Phoenix wing not only revamped the Suns’ culture single-handedly, his increased usage is turning in a career season. Brooks is averaging 21.4 points (career-high) and shooting 54.1% inside the arc and 34.3% beyond it.
Reaves, before going down with a calf strain that will sideline him for at least another three weeks, was having a legitimate All-Star level season, posting averages of 26.6 points, 5.2 rebounds and 6.3 assists on his best efficiency as a full-time starter.
While Lakers fans and executives marvel at the prospect of a player like Brooks (and vice-versa for Phoenix and Reaves), it’s not hard to imagine both front offices are fine just where they are.