Two teams that had hoped to be basking in the bright lights of Las Vegas this weekend will have to settle for a different Southwestern site when the Los Angeles Lakers and Phoenix Suns duel outside the spotlight of the NBA Cup on Sunday night in Arizona.

The Phoenix Suns face the defending NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder in the NBA Cup quarterfinals on Dec. 10.

Reportedly, the Phoenix Suns’ interest in Jonathan Kuminga has dropped off considerably from where it was during the summer..

After Phoenix's 2021 run to the NBA Finals, the Suns had failed to capitalize on their championship potential. Mat Ishbia, as soon as he took over the handles of ownership in the desert, made a splash by acquiring Kevin Durant and later Bradley Beal in a swoop of blockbuster trades.

The defending NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder won a franchise record 16th straight game as they handed the Phoenix Suns a historic loss.

Phoenix Suns rookie 7-footer Khaman Maluach is averaging 16 points on 59.2% shooting, 11.8 rebounds and 2.8 blocks in five G League games this season.

"He won't win the award, but Jordan Ott deserves a lot of Coach of the Year love from voters this season. At 14-10, the Phoenix Suns are much better than most predicted and are just a game behind the Minnesota Timberwolves for a top-six seed in the West," wrote Greg Swartz.

Christmas is on Dec. 25, but it comes 10 days early for NBA fans every year. That's because Dec. 15 marks the unofficial start of trade season.