The up-and-coming Houston Rockets have taken the NBA by surprise in 2024-25, as the mixed group of star prospects and veteran mentors currently possess a 37-22 record and position as the No. 5 seed in the Western Conference.

Houston has young pieces and picks to make a trade for either worthwhile, and there's no question that either star would make the Rockets contenders, although it would close a chapter on this disappointing era of the Suns' basketball, which could be for the best.

The Phoenix Suns are nearing the verge of missing the playoffs with a 27-31 record, good for the 11th seed in a crowded Western Conference. 2.5 games back from

The Suns could be making sweeping changes this off-season - this one franchise could be involved in trade talks.

HOUSTON, TX – MAY 8: Rapper 50 Cent on stage at Minute Maid Park on May 8, 2015 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Ed Mulholland/Golden Boy/Golden Boy via Getty Images) horizontal,usa,sport,texas,houston – texas,gulf coast states,stadium,minute maid park,2015,stage – performance space,50 cent – rapper,boxing – sport

PHOENIX (AP) — A brutal season for the Phoenix Suns hit a low Sunday night with a humiliating 116-98 home loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves. “We didn't play up to our standards at all,” All-Star forward Kevin Durant said. “We embarrassed the fans and we embarrassed ourselves the way we played. I want us to be better.”