"It's like Looney Tunes around here" - A Suns source reveals how chaotic the organization is under new owner Mat Ishbia

With a roster headlined by Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal, the Phoenix Suns were supposed to be championship contenders. Instead, they are the first team to be eliminated from the 2024 playoffs after getting swept by the No. 3-seeded Minnesota Timberwolves.

The Suns looked out of sorts on the court, and the chemistry among the Big 3 was nowhere to be found, particularly in high-pressure situations. It appears, though, that the dysfunction isn't exclusive to the players, as the organization has also had to deal with some chaos after a change in ownership.

"It's like Looney Tunes around here," a Suns source told Hoops Wire . "It's felt unstable since [Mat Ishbia] arrived. He's a good guy and everything, I think, but he's just very involved. Too involved. I know he played (college basketball at Michigan State), but I'd venture to say he has no idea what he's doing when it comes to basketball. Yet he's making a lot of the big decisions."

The Suns suffering from new owner syndrome

Phoenix underwent a regime change when Ishbia bought the franchise and the Phoenix Mercury in late 2022 for around $4 billion.

It seemed like a good match at the time, mainly because the billionaire businessman had a basketball background, having played for Michigan State University from 1999 to 2002. He even boasted of his on-court skills and leadership in an interview with Bill Simmons last year.

However, Simmons had been worried about Ishbia trying to do too much too quickly, a malady the "Sports Guy" usually referred to as the new owner syndrome.

That's precisely what happened. The first thing Ishbia did was disregard the chemistry and culture of the previous team by trading core players who helped the Suns reach the 2021 Finals, including Mikal Bridges and Cam Johnson, along with several draft picks to acquire Durant in the middle of the 2022-23 campaign. The subsequent offseason saw the squad ship Chris Paul and make pick swaps in exchange for Bradley Beal.

Not only did Phoenix throw away its future and depth, but it also chose not to address obvious roster flaws, such as a true point guard and a reliable backup big. Reports have it that Ishbia has had a hand in these decisions.

An offseason of uncertainty for the Suns

Of course, a deep postseason run would have people thinking differently about the Suns' questionable moves. Unfortunately, they were bullied by Minnesota and its superstar-in-the-making, Anthony Edwards, in the first round of the playoffs.

Phoenix has few options this coming offseason, considering how its cupboard of trade assets is non-existent. Probably not even firing Frank Vogel, rumors of which have been brewing recently, after just a year of partnership, could save the sinking ship.

Perhaps the best decision Ishbia can make is to entrust the organization's operations to capable hands and step back from being too hands-on. Curiously, the Suns already employ James Jones as president of basketball operations and general manager. The retired sharpshooter won the NBA Executive of the Year award in 2021, so maybe Ishbia should just allow Jones to handle basketball-related matters.

Related: Mark Jackson is disappointed with the Suns' performances in the Playoffs: "They got exposed, bad habits all season long, soft at times"