What the Suns Gain in Potential Three-Team Trade

The benefits are endless for the Phoenix Suns in potential three-team trade involving Jae Crowder

Author:
Remy Mastey
Dec 14, 2022 11:35 AM EST

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We are already nearly two months into the NBA season and the Phoenix Suns have yet to trade the disgruntled Jae Crowder.

There has been some traction however as The Athletic's Shams Charania reports the Suns have engaged in talks revolving around a three-team trade:

"Multiple league sources said the Suns recently engaged in three-team talks that would have sent Crowder to Milwaukee, four Bucks second-round draft picks along with players to Houston, and Eric Gordon and/or Kenyon Martin Jr. to Phoenix,” Charania said.

“The hold up in the potential three-teamer was that the Rockets are coveting one first-round pick for Gordon, and for Martin a very good first-rounder, not a batch of second-rounders, according to sources. The Rockets have had interest in Gordon from several contending teams, sources said, but appear less willing to entertain the topic of Martin."

If the Suns are going to pull the trigger on a trade for Crowder, this would be it. Crowder’s value will only go down from here due to his absence on the court.

Gordon is a perfect fit for a Suns team with high aspirations. In the span of his 15 year career, Gordon has never averaged less than 10 points. He thrives off the ball and is a threat from behind the arc whenever he checks in the game.

After last year's performance against the Dallas Mavericks in the Western Conference Semifinals, it's evident the Suns need to add veterans with playoff experience under their belt. Gordon is just that. To be precise, Gordon has 55 games worth of playoff experience and can add a huge veteran presence to a young Suns core.

The other player rumored to be shipped off to the Suns, Martin Jr., also provides a unique element to the Suns roster. At only 21-years-old, Martin Jr. has a lot of raw potential. The 52 overall pick in the 2020 NBA draft is already averaging 10.7 points per game shooting an efficient .540 FG% in just his third season in the league.

Standing at 6-foot-7, Martin Jr.’s most impressive trait is to get to the rim, putting up impressive dunks in the process. His quick agility along with his ability to play on and off the ball can help earn him a spot in the Suns’ rotation.

Although he may not get a ton of minutes at the start, Martin Jr. has a lot of room to grow and could be an integral part of the Suns’ future.

This trade gives the Suns the best of both worlds, a proven veteran three-point sniper and a young athletic rising prospect.

The opportunity to get two quality rotation players in exchange for one who is currently not playing is something the Suns should seriously entertain.