The Phoenix Suns did not part ways with Kevin Durant ahead of Thursday's NBA trade deadline, but they may have an awkward situation to handle in

The Athletic reported earlier in the week that the Mavericks had a dream of pairing Phoenix Suns star Kevin Durant with their current core of Anthony Davis and Kyrie Irving. SNY's Ian Begley is taking that one step further, saying the Mavs were actively engaged in talks on Wednesday, trying to make it happen.

After finishing .500 last season, the Rockets have vaulted into contender status behind the emergence of young stars like Amen Thompson, Alperen Sengun and Jalen Green. The Rockets are sitting in third in the Western Conference at 32-17 heading into their Tuesday night match-up against the Nets in Brooklyn.