The Phoenix Suns are exceeding expectations this season with a 21-14 record, good for seventh-best in the Western Conference. Offseason acquisition Dillon Brooks has been a huge part of that. The 29-year-old is averaging a career-high 21.4 points and continues to play All-NBA level defense.
On Monday’s episode of FanDuel TV’s “Run It Back,” the panel discussed Brooks’ possible trade value for contending teams. Former All-Star center DeMarcus Cousins said the Lakers should trade Austin Reaves for Brooks.
“He’s a culture changer,” Cousins said. “He’s a proven winner. You talk about all these glaring holes when it comes to this Lakers team. He fits exactly what they need right now … you getting a two-way player compared to a one-sided player. Why wouldn’t you do it?”
Suns owner Mat Ishbia was quick to shut down those rumors, responding to Cousins’ argument on social media.
Don’t bother calling… Suns aren’t interested. Dillon’s not going anywhere https://t.co/Jqg6Nxx1D3
— Mat Ishbia (@Mishbia15) January 5, 2026
“Don’t bother calling,” Ishbia wrote in a post on X. “Suns aren’t interested. Dillon’s not going anywhere.”
Ishbia has become known for defending the Suns publicly on X. In October, Ishbia called out podcaster Bill Simmons for his argument that Phoenix would have the worst defense in the league this season.
.@BillSimmons, you and your crew have some good takes and some that are terrible. You’re the betting guru and even you know better than to actually take this bet. Tell you what, go put your money on this take. When you lose, I will donate the same amount to charity of your… https://t.co/dCLMUdtbMz
— Mat Ishbia (@Mishbia15) October 22, 2025
“You and your crew have some good takes,” Ishbia wrote. “You and your crew have some good takes and some that are terrible. You’re the betting guru and even you know better than to actually take this bet. Tell you what, go put your money on this take. When you lose, I will donate the same amount to charity of your choice. Different culture and different team in PHX this year. Let’s go!”
Entering Monday’s NBA games, the Suns ranked ninth in defensive rating, per NBA.com. The surpassing of expectations is largely due to Brooks. Meanwhile, the Lakers rank 18th in scoring defense and 24th in defensive rating.
While Ishbia has made it clear he has no interest in parting with Brooks, it would simultaneously be hard to imagine passing up on a talent like Reaves, and difficult to envision the Lakers being willing to trade him.
Reaves is averaging 26.6 points, 6.3 assists, and 5.2 rebounds per game on 51 percent shooting — great output despite sharing the floor with the league’s leading scorer Luka Dončić (33.7 points per game). Reaves is sidelined for four weeks with a Grade 2 left calf strain and will be re-evaluated in late January. The 27-year-old was well on his way to his first All-Star appearance and an All-NBA team honor.
Regardless of how the Lakers feel about a possible Reaves-Brooks trade, it’s abundantly clear that Ishbia is dismissing any of those conversations.