Entering the weekend, 9 out of 12 games on ESPN and TNT posted an increase in viewers from last season.

The games include the Suns versus Warriors on Tuesday, which averaged 2.32 million viewers on TNT. That number doubled the equivalent game from last year (Nuggets versus Jazz at 1.2 million) while becoming the most-watched game of the season outside of Opening Night.

Wednesday's Bucks versus Nets game combined for a 1.1 rating with 2.0 million viewers, which represented ESPN's biggest audience in four years for the first half of a weeknight doubleheader. 

Deandre Ayton will be out for at least one week due to a sprained left ankle, sources told Shams Charania of The Athletic.

Ayton suffered the injury in the first quarter of the Suns' 124-111 win over the Pelicans. 

Ayton is averaging 18.3 points and 9.5 rebounds on the season. 

DeAndre Ayton left the Phoenix Suns' 124-111 win over the New Orleans Pelicans due to a left ankle sprain.

Ayton, who suffered the injury in the first quarter, did not return to the game.

Ayton is averaging 18.3 points and 9.5 rebounds on the season. 

The Phoenix Suns are up for sale and there have been a number of groups preparing bids on the franchise. One notable person potentially involved in buying the franchise is Barak Obama.

"The days of somebody being able to put in a little amount of money and run the team.. those days are over," said Bill Simmons. "That was a moment. The one guy who might pull it off and I heard, I'm probably breaking some news here, but I heard Obama is involved in one of the groups. And that's the one guy who I feel like would make him the actual face, and the money guys would be so happy to have him in the front."

Obama played basketball in high school and is said to be a close observer of the NBA.

The NBA currently only has one lead African-American owner in Michael Jordan of the Charlotte Hornets.

Jae Crowder continues to remain away from the Phoenix Suns as the two sides seek a resolution via trade. Crowder pushed back on the idea that he requested a trade from the Suns because he was demoted out of the starting lineup in favor of Cam Johnson.

"Honestly, this is unfamiliar ground for me," Crowder told Chris Haynes. "This is my 11th year and I've always been in camp and started the year off with my team. The business of basketball has taken its course and changes have come. I do not want to get into the details just yet, but it's definitely not true of the narrative being pushed about me not starting or not. I can honestly say that.

"I had two great years with my teammates and the fans in Phoenix. I don't take that for granted. I'm forever grateful for the moments we shared."

Haynes said he's not sure if the core of the issue is the Suns' to sign him to an extension.

A few different Eastern Conference contenders have been linked to trade interest in Jae Crowder of the Phoenix Suns. Now, we can add the Milwaukee Bucks to that list too.

The Bucks and Suns recently engaged in trade talks surrounding the veteran forward. The Atlanta Hawks, Miami Heat and Boston Celtics have all been mentioned as potential landing spots for Crowder too. For now, Crowder remains away from the Suns, as Phoenix works on finding a trade partner.

Milwaukee has a few different trade avenues to land the 3&D combo forward. Most would involve the Bucks parting with at least one rotation player, but Crowder could give them the defense and floor spacing they've lacked at the forward spot since losing P.J. Tucker in free agency before last season.

Before the Phoenix Suns opened their season last Wednesday, NBA commissioner Adam Silver spoke to hundreds of Suns employees. Silver apologized for himself and the NBA letting them down as far as punishing Robert Sarver for years of unacceptable behavior.

Silver told Suns employees: "To the extent that you feel let down by the league, I apologize. I take responsibility for that."

Silver acknowledged the NBA had heard Sarver was difficult to deal with, but "that's very different than conduct which is viewed as discriminatory in any way."

The NBA commissioner encouraged Phoenix employees to continue to bring up concerns they have. Silver also acknowledged that he didn't have any "deep answers", but that it's important "just to really listen to people."

Cam Johnson, P.J. Washington and Grant Williams were unable to agree to extensions with their respective teams and will become restricted free agents next offseason.

Johnson has emerged as the Phoenix Suns' starting power forward this season.

Washington averaged 10.3 points, 5.2 rebounds and 2.3 assists in 65 games (28 starts) last season with the Charlotte Hornets.

Williams became a key part of the Boston Celtics' rotation and figures to have a bigger role with Robert Williams out.

Host Danny Leroux (@DannyLeroux) and Arturo Galletti (@AmericanNumbers) break down the over/unders for the Western Conference.

They discuss the win total, division, conference and title odds as well as any pertinent individual award lines for the Thunder (2:03), Rockets (10:47), Spurs (16:23), Jazz (20:47), Kings (28:06), Trail Blazers (33:38), Pelicans (39:22), Lakers (46:58), Timberwolves (54:41), Mavericks (1:01:10), Grizzlies (1:06:48), Nuggets (1:11:50), Warriors (1:16:41), Clippers (1:25:11) and Suns (1:29:04).

Subscribe to RealGM Radio on Apple Podcasts or via the RSS feed. 

The Phoenix Suns have expressed interest in acquiring Jordan Clarkson from the Utah Jazz, sources tell Jake Fischer of Yahoo! Sports. The Suns would use Jae Crowder to match salary in a possible deal for Clarkson.

The outcome of the trade would likely involve Crowder receiving a buyout from the Jazz and then picking his ultimate destination. 

Clarkson is one of the options Phoenix has explored to add greater ball handling depth behind Chris Paul and Devin Booker. 

Clarkson signed a four-year, $52 million extension with the Jazz in 2020. Clarkson has a player option for 23-24.