One NBA executive joked about Suns owner Mat Ishbia having a new rule made for him with the Kevin Durant trade possibly backfiring.

Deandre Ayton has not quite had the season he was hoping to with the Portland Trail Blazers. His production simply has not been up to par with his current contract. Now, the Portland Trail Blazers are witnessing their rookie center,

The Suns got 99 of their 125 points from combined efforts of Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and new center Nick Richards.

Book has had everything handed to him since James Jones arrived. Promising new rookies. (Josh Jackson, Deandre Ayton, Mikal Bridges and Cam Johnson). All-time great veterans (Chris Paul, Durant and Beal). New coaches (Monty Williams, Frank Vogel and Mike Budenholzer). The franchise has even upgraded the locker room and practice facility.

Devin Booker is the only Suns player remaining from the finals team, but Durant is all for Ishbia’s constant push for an NBA title, something that has eluded the franchise that had its inaugural season back in 1968-69.

Kevin Durant for Alperen Sengun ... Promising new rookies. (Josh Jackson, Deandre Ayton, Mikal Bridges and Cam Johnson). All-time great veterans (Chris Paul, Durant and Beal).

This is more than a change of scenery for new Phoenix Suns big Nick Richards. In being traded, Richards leaves a Charlotte franchise that hasn’t made the playoffs since 2016 and joins one that’s looking to compete for championship.

No. 3 Duke got off to a slow start Saturday against Boston College but used a monster second-half performance paced by star freshman Cooper Flagg to exit with a 88-63 win. Flagg finished with 28 points,

The Cavaliers returned to earning W’s, beating the Pacers 127-117. The victory ends Indiana’s six-game win streak and avenges Cleveland’s loss to them on Sunday. The win puts Donovan Mitchell and Co. back on the right track to set the stage for a showdown Thursday against the West-leading Thunder.

The Arizona Wildcats melted another 18 points off a big lead Tuesday, but this time it was somewhat different.

PHOENIX — Devin Booker stood at his locker late Sunday night. The Phoenix Suns had just beaten the Charlotte Hornets on their home court, hardly a reason for celebration. But the effort had given the struggling Suns their third win in a row and their fourth in five games since coach Mike Budenholzer altered the lineup.

Jimmy Butler continues to loom large over the NBA trade deadline. Here is the latest intel and rumors surrounding possible deals.