"To steal a page from the Brooklyn Nets, Phoenix would receive back its own 2025 and 2027 first-round picks. Those two picks were initially traded to Brooklyn when Durant joined Phoenix two years ago, and then again traded to Houston this past summer. The 2025 pick would be projected to land in the lottery.

Jan 9, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant (35) reacts against the Atlanta Hawks in the second half at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images / Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

If Nick Richards doesn't help the Suns right the ship this season, they soon may be facing existential questions about the core of their roster.

Devin Booker reached the game-high 27 points, adding nine in the third quarter. Kevin Durant contributed 10 of his 23 points during the quarter. Allen had 21 points on 8-of-9 shooting. Ryan Dunn has been the Suns’ second-most efficient shooter, hitting 7-of-9 and matched his season-high 16 points.

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.

Much like his fans, Phoenix Suns superstar Kevin Durant is excited for the acquisition of seven-foot center Nick Richards from the Charlotte Hornets. “He’s a strong presence in the paint,” Durant told Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic.

Suns owner Mat Ishbia received an emphatic Kevin Durant endorsement about his leadership style and quest to win an NBA championship.

Kevin Durant and the Suns got more physical in the third quarter, cutting into the Hawks' lead to make it 89-87. Durant (game-high 27 points) was nearly a perfect 6-of-7 and added both of his steals in the third. Devin Booker has 21 points.

James now has 2,591,287 fan votes to Durant’s 2,498,843. The two all-time greats are second and third to three-time NBA MVP, Denver Nuggets big Nikola Jokic, who has 2,924,436 fan votes.

With the Phoenix Suns' latest embarrassing loss, it might be time to have an uncomfortable conversation soon on their long-term direction. What happens next in Phoenix?

Phoenix Suns are above .500 for first time since Christmas after win over Detroit Pistons in third game of five-game road trip.