Suns Deny Report on Isiah Thomas Joining Front Office

Despite a report to the contrary, NBA legend Isiah Thomas will not be hired to a role in the Suns’ front office, a spokesperson for new team owner Mat Ishbia told Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic.

Ishbia officially took over ownership of the Suns on Tuesday, and a report surfaced that he would hold a “prominent role” in the front office. Apparently, that will not be the case.

Thomas, a former standout guard with the Pistons, is on the board of directors of United Wholesale Mortgage, Ishbia’s company, per Mike Vorkunov of The Athletic. So while Thomas and Ishbia are friends, it does not appear they will be joining forces with the Suns.

Ishbia was raised in Birmingham, Mich., and also played college basketball at Michigan State, perhaps explaining his reverence to Thomas, who won two championships as the start point guard with Detroit in the 1980s and early 1990s.

Thomas, 61, spent his entire 13-year career with the Pistons and is a member of the Hall of Fame.

He became a front office executive with the Raptors from 1994-97, then coached the Pacers from 2000-03, before becoming president of basketball operations with the Knicks from 2003-08, coaching New York from 2006-08. 

But Thomas was found guilty of sexually harassing a former Knicks executive in 2007, and given that former Suns owner Robert Sarver was accused of similar things — hiring Thomas to the front office in Phoenix certainly would not come without controversy.

Thomas has been employed as an analyst on NBA TV since 2012.

A spokesperson for new #Suns team owner Mat Ishbia told The Republic Hall of Famer Isiah Thomas won't have a position in the team's front office and isn't part of the team transition.

Ishbia and Thomas are friends.

— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) February 8, 2023