Phoenix Suns owner Mat Ishbia recently shed light on why the franchise prioritized Dillon Brooks when finalizing the blockbuster trade that sent Kevin Durant to the Houston Rockets in June. Ishbia emphasized that Brooks embodied the toughness and defensive edge the Suns were looking to establish as they moved away from the three-star model that failed to deliver results.

“We made the Kevin Durant trade, Dillon was a target,” Ishbia said. “Dillon is exactly what we’re talking about. He’s the kind of guy we want here. So to be very clear, defensive minded, tough, sticks up for his teammates… I love everything about Dillon Brooks’ game.”

Brooks, 29, arrives in Phoenix with a reputation as one of the NBA’s more rugged and outspoken defenders. Last season with the Rockets, he average

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