A 32-year-old experienced forward with a career scoring average of 9.6 points per game is most likely the guy who is in high demand on the NBA trade market.
Jae Crowder won’t be participating in training camp, the Phoenix Suns revealed on Sunday, and they are looking for a new club for him.
Crowder, a 6-foot-6 3-and-D wing, is the kind of player every club needs but is seldom able to find: a grizzled veteran with playoff experience who can spread the floor and guard the best player on the other side.
The Suns may find themselves unexpectedly swamped with offers for Crowder in a summer dominated by the Kevin Durant pursuit and the Donovan Mitchell blockbuster. Such a player being publicly accessible at this point in the year is uncommon.
In his previous six seasons, Crowder has hit a respectable 35.5% from three, while not being a very gifted shooter. He had a corner percentage of 40.7%. Additionally, the Suns’ defense last season was at a level that would have led the NBA had Crowder been on the court.
Crowder was referred to be the NBA’s “top role player” by ESPN’s Zach Lowe.
Even though Crowder lacks a championship, he has a successful track record. He has made the playoffs every year since 2013, and in 2017, he played for the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference Finals. In 2020 and 2021, he played for the Miami Heat and the Phoenix Suns, respectively, in back-to-back Finals.
Shams Charania of The Athletic claims that all of Crowder’s former clubs, including the Celtics, Heat, Memphis Grizzlies, and Dallas Mavericks, are interested in signing him.
Of course, the list will undoubtedly continue: Crowder, who is in the last year of his contract and owes $10 million, would be the ideal addition for almost any team with a wing need.
The Los Angeles Lakers are in desperate need of perimeter defense and shooting.
The Cleveland Cavaliers, who just completed a blockbuster deal for Mitchell, would move even closer to title contention with a player like Crowder.
Crowder would blend in well with the Raptors’ group of lengthy, defensive-minded players who are under 6-foot-9 in height.
The Philadelphia 76ers might benefit from Crowder’s attributes both on and off the court.
Prior to this, Lowe said that Crowder brought a fierce energy and willingness to call out great players to each of his visits, which helped those teams. According to Lowe, the Heat appreciated Crowder’s readiness to “confront” Jimmy Butler.
It’s a bit difficult to predict how much Crowder may sell for on the trading market. According to recent deals, Crowder may bring in a first-round selection.
But the Suns’ financial situation may matter. The Suns might avoid taking any salary back in return and save money this season if they can trade Crowder to a club with cap room. Since a club with a better salary and tax position could be more appealing to buyers, one league source speculated that this might be a focus with Robert Sarver selling the Suns.
The San Antonio Spurs and Indiana Pacers are the only two clubs that presently have cap room, and neither of them are playoff candidates. Either of them could be eager to take on Crowder in the future in order to trade him for something valuable.
In the alternative, the Suns could have to do a balancing act by attempting to acquire players who could replace Crowder while keeping as little money as feasible.
The same league source expressed doubt about Crowder’s ability to get a first-round selection, pointing out that in 2017, the Toronto Raptors acquired 3-and-D center and forward P.J. Tucker in exchange for two second-round choices. Evidently, since then, the cost of influential role players has only increased.
NBA deals won’t be delayed by Crowder’s availability the way Durant’s were earlier this season, but it’s unusual to find a player that fits so well so easily.