The Phoenix Suns were long tied to a possible run at James Harden next offseason had he become a restricted free agent and the team also pursued a trade.

"We were engaged in discussions on numerous occasions," Suns President of Basketball Operations Lon Babby said. "We most recently met in person when we played them (in Tulsa, Okla., on Oct. 19). At the end of the day, there wasn't a deal that was workable for both sides." 

The Suns had cap space, picks and players on good contracts, but the Oklahoma City Thunder preferred the package from the Rockets.

Babby said no proposal "got a whole lot of life."