Host Danny Leroux (@DannyLeroux), Ben Golliver of the Washington Post (@BenGolliver) and Seth Partnow of The Athletic (@SethPartnow) go in-depth on the NBA’s Pacific Division.

They discuss how the Warriors, Lakers, Clippers, Suns and Kings fared in the off-season, including which teams improved and what moves stood out. The three also predict the season to come, including projected finish, breakout players and rookies they are most excited to see.

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The Phoenix Suns were atop Kevin Durant's wish list when he initially requested a trade from the Brooklyn Nets, but a workable trade has yet to materialize. The Suns are now considered to be behind the Boston Celtics, Toronto Raptors and Miami Heat in their efforts to trade for Durant.

The Suns have built a package around Mikal Bridges and a handful of first round draft picks. 

With Deandre Ayton now signed to a four-year maximum contract and ineligible to be traded until January, the Suns have made attempts over the past month to make creative new proposals to the Nets possibly via three- or four-team trades with an All-Star caliber player going to Brooklyn.

Christmas Day is one of the marquee dates on the NBA calendar. The 2022 Christmas Day slate will reportedly feature eight 2022 playoff teams. The games schedule for the Christmas quintuple-header are:

Philadelphia 76ers at New York Knicks

Milwaukee Bucks at Boston Celtics

Memphis Grizzlies at Golden State Warriors

Los Angeles Lakers at Dallas Mavericks

Phoenix Suns at Denver Nuggets

The Denver Nuggets are reportedly set to host the Phoenix Suns in a Christmas Day matchup. The Nuggets did not play on Christmas last season, despite the presence of reigning MVP Nikola Jokic on the roster.

Both Denver and Phoenix are considered contenders to knock off the Golden State Warriors in the Western Conference this upcoming season. The Nuggets and Suns are both returning strong rosters from last season.

Thus far, three games on an expected five-game Christmas Day slate have leaked. Suns at Nuggets joins Memphis Grizzlies at Golden State Warriors and Los Angeles Lakers at Dallas Mavericks as reported Christmas matchups.

Ish Wainright signed a two-way contract with the Phoenix Suns, his agents told Shams Charania of The Athletic.

Wainright averaged 2.4 points in 45 games for the Suns last season. 

Duane Washington Jr. has agreed to a Two-Way contract with the Phoenix Suns.

Washington averaged 9.9 points in 48 games last season with the Indiana Pacers.