If Kevin Durant was the highest prize on the NBA’s county truthful this summer season, then Jae Crowder is the Ring Pop you win as a participation trophy. You’ll nonetheless get pleasure from having it, but it surely’s not one thing to construct all of your plans round.
Regardless, Crowder is who’s obtainable proper now, and groups have an interest. He has but to swimsuit up for the Phoenix Suns this season as the 2 events search for a commerce that works for each of them. In flip, Cameron Johnson has taken over the beginning energy ahead place (with no contract extension in hand, which is one other story altogether).
Several squads need to carry Crowder into the combo, and a few want him greater than others. The most up-to-date replace got here from Shams Charania of The Athletic, who famous that the Atlanta Hawks, Milwaukee Bucks, and Miami Heat are exploring potential offers.
“In addition to the Hawks, the Suns have recently been engaged in talks with the Bucks on a potential Jae Crowder trade, sources said. Milwaukee has registered interest in the veteran forward who has remained away from the Suns’ organization as both sides work toward a trade. Miami is also believed to be among the current suitors for Crowder, according to league sources.”
SB Nation’s Phoenix Suns website, Bright Side of the Sun, compiled a number of potential offers and most of them make sense for each events.
Jae Crowder commerce thought for the Atlanta Hawks
Hawks get: Jae Crowder, Dario Saric; Suns get: Bogdan Bogdanovic
For Atlanta, they proposed a deal that might ship Bogdan Bogdanovic to Phoenix in alternate for Crowder and Dario Saric. Bogdanovic has been sidelined with a knee damage to date this yr, however upon his return, he’d present the Suns with improved capturing and an additional shot creator on the wing outdoors of Devin Booker.
As for the Hawks, they might be getting some additional defensive versatility in a lineup that’s seeking to enhance on that finish of the ground. That being stated, dropping Bogdanovic’s capturing might probably do extra hurt than good.
Jae Crowder commerce thought for the Milwaukee Bucks
Bucks get: Jae Crowder; Suns get: Grayson Allen
Next, for the Bucks, BSoS recommended a straight-up one-for-one commerce of Grayson Allen for Crowder. Allen has been struggling to shoot the ball at an environment friendly clip this yr, and he additionally floundered at occasions all through final yr’s postseason. However, as identified by Brew Hoop, Milwaukee doesn’t actually have an enormous want for Crowder.
Their rotation doesn’t lack protection in sure areas like Atlanta’s does, and when wholesome, they have already got gamers resembling Khris Middleton, Pat Connaughton, Joe Ingles, and rookie MarJon Beauchamp. Where would Crowder match into that blend? If something, Milwaukee ought to be seeking to commerce for additional assist on the level guard place (hello, Jordan Clarkson).
Jae Crowder commerce thought for the Miami Heat
Heat get: Jae Crowder, Landry Shamet; Suns get: Max Strus, Duncan Robinson
Lastly, BSoS’s deal for the Heat makes a number of sense. The commerce would ship Duncan Robinson and Max Strus to Phoenix for Crowder and Landry Shamet.
Obviously, this could fill an enormous want for the Heat, who don’t actually have a beginning energy ahead in the mean time. Crowder performed for Miami throughout their 2020 title run, and whereas he isn’t the identical participant, he might nonetheless fill within the gaps for them. Meanwhile, Phoenix would get a ton of additional capturing.
That being stated, there are a few potential points to notice right here.
First and foremost, asking Miami to half methods with Robinson and Strus (even once they get again Shamet) is an enormous ask. They developed each of these gamers and appear to actually like Strus, nonetheless. Plus, Phoenix must fear about paying Strus a ton of cash on the finish of the yr, as he’s on an expiring contract. It would put them in an analogous place to the one they’re at present in with Crowder.
Some different offers that might probably come out of the blue embody trades with the Boston Celtics, Chicago Bulls, and Memphis Grizzlies, all of whom might use some assist on the wing/ahead place (and two of which have already got connections to Crowder).
But till a deal finally goes by, count on Crowder to proceed selling himself on social media, like all good negotiators ought to do within the trendy period.