Jae Crowder Officially Done With Suns: 3 Potential Trade Destinations
The Phoenix Suns and Jae Crowder have mutually agreed that the veteran forward will not participate in training camp as the sides work on a trade, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) September 25, 2022
The Suns and the 10-year veteran have mutually agreed that he will not participate in camp as the sides work on a trade. His record in Phoenix, as Insider Shams Charania points out, speaks for itself.
Crowder's last three NBA seasons have consisted of back-to-back runs to the NBA Finals (Miami 2020, Phoenix 2021) and league- and franchise-best 64 wins for the Suns in 2021-22. Crowder has been a key part of the Suns rotation; team has gone 115-39 in his two seasons. https://t.co/AtQHo5ecUE
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) September 25, 2022
Here are 3 teams that make for viable trade destinations for the Bossman:
1. Miami Heat
Crowder would love to return to South Beach. He was a big part of their run to the NBA Finals in 2020. In 20 late-season games with the Heat, he averaged 11.9 points, 5.4 rebounds, and a sizzling 44.5% from 3-point range. He was a solid contributor in their playoff run as well, starting all 21 games.
He recently told the Miami Herald's Barry Jackson that he would "welcome" a return to the Heat. He could be the PJ Tucker replacement that Pat Riley has been looking for. The only issue here would the matching of salaries required to make a deal.
Jackson wrote, "it would be surprising if the Suns were willing to take the final four years and $75 million of Duncan Robinson’s deal for Crowder, who is due $10.2 million in an expiring contract. It would be surprising if the Heat was willing to offer a first-round pick in a trade for Crowder.”
2. Atlanta Hawks
The Hawks appear to be leaving no stone unturned to get themselves back into the thick of the conversation in the Eastern Conference. And while newly-acquired Dejounte Murray is a huge boost, on both sides of the ball, in the backcourt, Crowder could be a help up front. He's brings defense, he's a leader, and a veteran of many playoff wars—in Boston, Utah, Miami and Phoenix. That's experience the Hawks could use.
3. Cleveland Cavaliers
Hey, why stop now? After the blockbuster deal to acquire Donovan Mitchell, the Cavs are obviously all-in. Bringing in a playoff-hardened veteran and leader like Crowder could add some size to the small forward spot in certain lineups, some defense and even some floor-spacing.
And besides, 99 and Spida have a history together in Utah.
Cleveland had to send out Lauri Markkanen in the Mitchell trade; perhaps Crowder can help fill some of that void. With what he sacrifices in height and the same type of dead-eye marksmanship, he replaces with a defensive toughness and leadership.
Buzz surrounding this move for #Suns Jae Crowder heating up. #Cavs like Crowder’s championship experience on young roster. Hesitant to move Osman due to lack of depth created from Mitchell trade. They can’t have both due to cap. Suns want a 1 but 2 2’s more realistic per sources. https://t.co/c9ALCFcxO8
— Stephen Coolridge (@indians_cavs) September 20, 2022
Will a couple of second-rounders get it done?
Other teams prominently mentioned as potential Crowder destinations: The Chicago Bulls, Minnesota Timberwolves and Dallas Mavericks.
Photos: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports, Chris Nicoll-USA TODAY Sports
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