As always, the NBA trade deadline provides ample storylines, with marquee names potentially on the move, contenders looking to bolster their respective rosters for a playoff push and some organizations fully committing to a second-half tank. The major storylines currently captivating the NBA community are:

One NBA executive joked about Suns owner Mat Ishbia having a new rule made for him with the Kevin Durant trade possibly backfiring.

The Phoenix Suns have made a trade. No, not that trade. Jimmy Butler remains a member of the Miami Heat for the time being, but even as the Suns continue to try to pry him away, they have managed to make a deal of another sort by acquiring Charlotte Hornets center Nick Richards along with a 2025 Denver Nuggets second-round pick for Josh Okogie and three second-round picks: two from the Nuggets (2026 and 2031) along with a Suns original (2031).

The Dallas Mavericks traveled to downtown Oklahoma City to take on the Oklahoma City Thunder just hours after wrapping up a home game against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

As the Phoenix Suns push for a NBA playoff spot after their win over the Wizards, Kevin Durant has faced criticism from fans. The star responded sharply on social media, defending himself from the critics.

Bradley Beal's agent, Mark Bartelstein of Priority Sports, told Duane Rankin of the Arizona Republic on Wednesday that any reports suggesting his client

Trae Young received an injury update for Tuesday night's game as the Hawks prepare to play the Suns in Atlanta.

In a candid post-game interview following the Phoenix Suns' 118-92 defeat to the Cleveland Cavaliers on Monday, Kevin Durant didn’t hold back in his assessment of the team’s performance and what needs to change moving forward.

The Dallas Mavericks and Charlotte Hornets kick off an early slate of NBA games on Martin Luther King Day with a noon ET tip at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte.

WATCH: Timberwolves vs. Mavericks airs nationally on ESPN, fans can also watch on DirecTV Stream (free trial). LEARN MORE: DirecTV’s MySports beta is the newest sports streaming platform: Here’s what you need to know

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Stephen Curry were voted as the backcourt representatives in the Western Conference.

The Oklahoma City Thunder might want to swap out some of their young depth for an established, veteran superstar as they look to win an NBA title this season.