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The NBA expected to approve Mat Ishbia as the new owner of the Phoenix Suns before the trade deadline

The NBA is expected to approve billionaire mortgage lender Mat Ishbia as the new owner of the Phoenix Suns franchise before Feb. 9 trade deadline, people familiar with the situation told The Republic.

ESPN first reported the news Wednesday.

The news is significant because the Suns haven’t made any trades so far this season. Interim team governor Sam Garvin, a minority owner, can’t make a major move without the approval of majority owner Robert Sarver.

Sarver is serving a suspension that prohibits involvement with the team, but he still has a say on major financial decisions.

The Suns have been trying to move Jae Crowder, who hasn’t played a game this season as he and the team “mutually agreed” he wouldn’t attend training camp.

Mat Ishbia watches the Suns take on the Pacers during a game at the Footprint Center in Phoenix on Jan.  21, 2023. Ishbia is waiting on NBA approval to officially become the new team owner.

Mat Ishbia watches the Suns take on the Pacers during a game at the Footprint Center in Phoenix on Jan. 21, 2023. Ishbia is waiting on NBA approval to officially become the new team owner.

SUNS: How Mat Ishbia parlayed passion for basketball, fortune from mortgages to buy key stake

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The Miami Heat, Atlanta Hawks and Milwaukee Bucks have shown interest in the veteran forward.

Ishbia, 42, attended Phoenix’s back-to-back games against Indiana and Memphis last weekend. The Suns (25-24) won both games.

Ishbia agreed in principle to buy the Suns and WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury for $4 billion from Sarver on Dec. 20. It typically takes two months for the league to approve a team owner as background checks and financial checks are conducted.

Sarver chose to sell the team in September amid the backlash of criticism over his punishment by the NBA. The league suspended Sarver for one year and fined him $10 million for “workplace misconduct and organizational deficiencies” found during a 10-month investigation.

Ishbia and Sarver had not previously connected before the two were introduced regarding the sale of the team.

From Michigan, Ishbia played for the 2000 Michigan State national championship team.

Forbes lists Ishbia’s net worth at $5.1 billion, which ranks No. 505 in the world, according to the site. He is the chairman and CEO of mortgage lender United Wholesale Mortgage, of which he owns a 71% stake, according to Forbes. The company, based in Michigan, is now called UWM Holdings.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: NBA could approve Mat Ishbia as Suns owner before trade deadline