Updated Information, Rumors on Potential Jae Crowder Trade
The Phoenix Suns are looking to move power forward Jae Crowder, and have been doing so since the summer, according to Yahoo! NBA insider Jake Fischer.
In a recent article going through Phoenix's offseason, Fischer provides some insight into what he deemed the "curious handling of Jae Crowder".
Curious indeed, as Crowder was rumored to be included in multiple trade talks that involved the Suns through the offseason. Eventually Crowder would take his frustrations to social media.
The Suns and Crowder mutually agreed to his absence at Media Day and training camp. Weeks later, we've yet to see a resolution emerge.
Here's some tidbits from Fischer's article:
"Word of Crowder’s availability has circled among league decision-makers since June’s draft. The understanding among NBA personnel is that Crowder has since requested a trade from Phoenix, and the Suns have been happy to oblige. With Crowder’s three-year, $29.1 million deal expiring at the conclusion of this 2022-23 campaign, the Suns, sources said, are unwilling to offer an extension of similar value that Crowder is once again commanding."
"Phoenix has informed inquiring teams it only wishes to move Crowder for a player or combination of players who can help win now. If the Suns simply priced Crowder for a first-round pick, he’d likely have already been moved as swiftly as Brooklyn sent a 2023 selection to Utah for Royce O’Neal.
“I thought the way Phoenix played the situation was strange,” one Western Conference executive told Yahoo Sports. “You’re not a super deep team. You’re a contender. Doesn’t it seem like there’s some other way to resolve this other than him sitting out and hurting your depth?”
“For Jae to hold out is pretty rare. It’s pretty extreme,” one Eastern Conference executive said. “It’s really interesting they didn’t just play hardball with him.”
Other notes from Fischer's insight:
- Crowder never wanted to leave Miami in the first place, but they balked at the idea of paying him 3 yr/$30 million.
- Teams across the league are waiting to evaluate themselves through a 20-game sample size before making a move.
- Dallas is not interested in Crowder. Memphis has not made contact with the Suns, and "there’s little expectation Phoenix moves Crowder to another team out West, unless said move made the Suns significantly better."
- Phoenix is interested in Derrick White but Boston isn't interested in acquiring Crowder.
- The Hawks and Suns have had conversations about a trade involving Crowder through the summer. Atlanta is Crowder's other favored landing spot next to Miami.
Fischer's article ended with this:
“You would have to really think he takes you over the top,” one assistant general manager told Yahoo Sports. “Phoenix either has something in its pocket, that they know is good enough for them, or they’re bluffing. We’ll see what happens come D Day, come opening night.”
The Suns take on the Dallas Mavericks next Wednesday to open the 2022-23 regular season. Time will tell if Crowder is on the roster when things get underway.
Thank you for making Inside The Suns your destination for Phoenix Suns news. Please be sure to give us a like on Facebook, subscribe to us on YouTube and follow us on Twitter @InsideTheSunsFN for news, updates, analysis and more!
Top Phoenix Suns News
Suns Kept Cam Johnson off the Table in Trade Talks Over Summer
Suns Sign Two Guards, Waive Frank Jackson
Five Phoenix Suns Ruled Out for Preseason Finale
Phoenix Projected to Finish Fourth in West
