Report: Suns Engaged in Three-Team Trade Talks for Jae Crowder
Rumors have only grown stronger surrounding Phoenix Suns PF Jae Crowder and his next destination.
The Suns have been shopping Crowder prior to the preseason, and a number of potential suitors, pieces and packages have been rumored and whispered.
As the season grows longer, more teams will become desperate for Crowder's services in an attempt to piece together a strong lineup for a potential postseason run.
According to The Athletic's Shams Charania, Phoenix recently engaged in a deal that would have sent Crowder to the Milwaukee Bucks.
Report: Suns Engaged in Three-Team Trade Talks for Jae Crowder
The following was reported by Charania in a recent piece published on The Athletic:
"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. 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 were able to land a valuable piece such as Gordon or Martin without giving up extra draft capital, that would be a fairly good move on behalf of Phoenix general manager James Jones.
Charania also says Atlanta and Miami are still in the hunt for Crowder:
"The Hawks and Heat also are interested in Crowder, and Miami is expected to have a re-energized pursuit soon because it has a slew of players, such as Dewayne Dedmon and Victor Oladipo, available to be traded starting Thursday. The Bucks could continue to seek a third team to facilitate a trade for Crowder, which would be a homecoming of sorts for the Georgia native who played his college ball at Marquette."
Charania also says the Suns are interested in Atlanta forward John Collins but aren't quite sold on his contract:
"Meanwhile, the Hawks have had several teams in the Collins market, such as Utah, Washington, Brooklyn and Dallas, sources said. Atlanta has not shown interest so far in a potential framework that would contain Brooklyn’s Joe Harris, those sources said. Phoenix has a desire for Collins but does not appear inclined to take on the forward, who is in the second season of a five-year, $125 million pact."
While no deal appears to be imminent, traction is indeed there for Crowder to finally part ways with the Suns.
