A day after Charles Barkley said the Phoenix Suns “stink,” ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith called them “soft” based on what the “NBA people” are saying as he put it. A team with Devin Booker, Kevin Durant, Bradley Beal that went into the season with championship aspirations shouldn’t have a losing record and be 12 th in the West even with a number of injuries.

Phoenix Suns stars Devin Booker and Kevin Durant smiling from the bench late in Saturday’s 126-108 loss at Indiana became an instant topic of conversation on social media. There are a couple of screenshots circulating on X (formerly Twitter) with Booker and Durant grinning with 2.

Answering your questions in another Sixers mailbag, from a potential Jimmy Butler trade to filling out the team's final roster spot.

Jimmy Butler has been clashing with Pat Riley and the Miami Heat front office for weeks now, and after his recent suspension for conduct detrimental to the team

As the Miami Heat start seriously exploring trade options involving Jimmy Butler, his list of potential landing spots is unlikely to include the Golden

Bradley Beal came off the bench Monday for the first time since his fourth NBA season. He's been linked to a Jimmy Butler trade.

"The Suns seem to be in desperation mode, sitting under .500 and outside of the Western Conference Play-In picture. Butler would be about as perfect a fit between Kevin Durant and Devin Booker as you could find, as he has the ability to take on tough defensive assignments and also handle the ball," wrote Sam Vecenie.

As the Jimmy Butler saga proceeds, one potential trade partner would reportedly be willing to give him a new deal. NBA insider Marc Stein reported Sunday

In my opinion, the Warriors continue to be the team rumored to be in the mix for Butler that makes the most sense. Stephen Curry and Draymond Green are Hall-of-Famers who aren’t getting younger. The question is whether they can get Butler without decimating the younger transitional core they’ve assembled.