By now we all should know that Mat Ishbia bleeds green and white. The Suns’ owner and former Michigan State walk-on hasn’t been shy about showing love for his alma mater, and his means of retooling the Suns has displayed that Spartan pride.
This offseason, Ishbia hired a new general manager, Brian Gregory, and head coach, Jordan Ott — both of whom have ties to Tom Izzo and the Michigan State program. But his connection to East Lansing could grow even deeper during tonight’s NBA Draft.
After the Suns traded superstar Kevin Durant to the Houston Rockets, they received a haul in return, including Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, and the No. 10 overall pick.
Upon the return of their first-round pick, Phoenix is poised to land a high-upside young talent and there’s a player who should be on the board at this point who makes sense.
Jase Richardson could become next connection between the Suns, Sparty
Michigan State’s own Jase Richardson.
He measured in at 6-foot-1.5 at the Draft Combine which lowered his stock to the point where maybe the Suns don’t have to pull the trigger on the Spartan standout this early. His stock was even lowered to the point where Richardson was not invited to attend the draft from the green room.
He is more expected to go in the 15-25 range, but the possibility of him landing in The Valley is more than plausible now — whether they move down or back up to do so.
The first Spartan draftee since Max Christie, Richardson averaged 12.1 points per game on north of 40% from both the floor and long-range.
Forbes’ Evan Sidery reported that with all of the additional draft capital (five second-rounders) acquired in the Durant trade, the Suns have their eyes on swinging another deal — possibly to land the 19-year-old guard. They even have been dangling veterans Grayson Allen and Royce O’Neale to do so.
The Suns are actively shopping Grayson Allen and Royce O’Neale in hopes of landing additional draft capital.
After trading Kevin Durant for the No. 10 overall pick and five second-round selections, Phoenix wants to add more cap flexibility while aiming to recoup future assets. pic.twitter.com/HMfddiSrbc
— Evan Sidery (@esidery) June 24, 2025
And beyond the MSU connection, his NBA bloodlines run deep. Richardson’s father, Jason Richardson, spent three seasons in Phoenix from 2008-2010. This franchise — and front office — know him well.
Yes, the fit might raise eyebrows alongside Green and Devin Booker, but that has never stopped the United Wholesale Mortgage CEO before. He moved Booker to point guard when the franchise acquired Bradley Beal back in 2023, he’s shown a willingness to prioritize talent over positional orthodoxy.
Additionally, center has been a need for the Suns since they traded DeAndre Ayton, and big men like Maryland’s Deriq Queen and Arizona’s Carter Bryant will be in play at No. 10.
If Ishbia’s past decisions are any indication, his Spartan ties clearly still matter. Richardson could be a breath of fresh air for a franchise who are undergoing a culture reset after a failed attempt to contend. Not to mention, the full-circle moment would be must-see TV.
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