Led by Kevin Durant and Devin Booker, the Western Conference's eighth-place Suns have played well in January, winning seven of their last nine, and are 8-4 overall this month. The Clippers are sixth in the West standings, led by veteran stars James Harden and Kawhi Leonard, plus their top scorer this season Norman Powell.

Bradley Beal started the second half for Dunn, who replaced him in the starting lineup beginning Jan. 6 at Philadelphia. Suns coach Mike Budenholzer moved Jusuf Nurkic and Beal to the bench starting that game.

The Las Vegas Aces hired former Los Angeles Lakers coach John Lucas III to be the Player Development Coach, just hours after the franchise traded Kelsey Plum to the Los Angeles Sparks

The former lottery pick would be a strong fit next to Anthony Davis within the Los Angeles Lakers rotation and would fit JJ Redick's system.

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.

Vincent Goodwill and former Knicks GM Scott Perry discuss whether or not several prominent teams in the NBA such as the Los Angeles Lakers, Denver Nuggets and Phoenix Suns should make a splash move ahead of the trade deadline or keep their rosters together.

In this new trade scenario from Doug McCain of The Big Lead, Los Angeles makes a splash ahead of the deadline. The deal would have them landing star forward Brandon Ingram from the New Orleans Pelicans, giving Los Angeles the third star that they have wanted for some time now.

In FadeAway World, Ishaan Bhattacharya proposed a three-team trade that would see the Suns receive Butler. The Heat would get Bradley Beal, Rui Hachimura, Gabe Vincent and 2029 First-Round Pick (UTA/MIN/CLE). The Lakers would receive Terry Rozier and 2027 First-Round Pick (UTA/MIN/CLE).

The Suns have won two in a row overall and four straight at home. They defeated the Wizards 119-109 Saturday. Kevin Duranr led the way with 29 points for Phoenix. The Clippers have won six of their last eight games. They are in a virtual tie with the Lakers for first place in the Pacific Division.

Two NBA insiders, Brian Windhorst and Tim MacMahon, aren't happy with Lakers' star Anthony Davis's center request.

Two-time NBA All-Star Isaiah Thomas is making another attempt at a return. According to ESPN Senior NBA Insider Shams Charania, Thomas signed into the G-League on Monday and will be joining the Utah Jazz's affiliate, the Salt Lake City Stars. Charania reported that Thomas is expected to make his debut for the Stars sometime this week.