Overview
- Ishbia posted on X on Oct. 22 urging Bill Simmons to back The Ringer’s prediction with a wager, pledging to match the amount with a donation to a charity of Simmons’ choice if Phoenix proves the take wrong.
- The prediction was written by Michael Pina in a bold-predictions column, and multiple outlets noted that Simmons was not the author despite being targeted by Ishbia.
- Simmons responded that his personal Suns pick was under 31.5 wins, noted NBA owners cannot bet, and jokingly suggested wagering Aspiration stock instead.
- The skepticism stems from Phoenix allowing 116.6 points per game last season, placing the team near the bottom of the league defensively.
- The Suns enter 2025–26 with heavy turnover—10 of 17 players are new—and additions such as Dillon Brooks are projected to anchor point-of-attack defense.