As team owner Robert Sarver begins serving his year-long ban from the NBA, the Suns‘ front office continues to explore ways to upgrade the team’s roster before the regular season gets underway. Appearing on ESPN’s NBA Today (video link), Brian Windhorst confirmed that the Suns are active in trade discussions, with many of those talks involving forward Jae Crowder.
“(They’ve been) very active within this last week. They are conducting business, they’re in trade negotiations right now. A lot of them are centered around Jae Crowder,” Windhorst said. “Jae Crowder is a player who is available on the market right now. Whether or not there’s going to be a deal for him that materializes between now and next week’s trade deadline, we’ll have to wait and see.”
Obviously, this season’s trade deadline won’t arrive until February, but Windhorst may be suggesting that the Suns will see if they can get something done before training camps begin.
Crowder, whose name has been mentioned in trade rumors off and on throughout the offseason, is in the final year of his current contract. The 32-year-old will earn approximately $10.2MM in 2022/23 before becoming an unrestricted free agent next summer.
Here’s more on the Suns:
- Sources who have spoken recently to Windhorst don’t get the sense that the Suns are unwilling to increase their payroll by taking back more salary than they send out in a trade. General manager James Jones and his front office won’t be bringing deals directly to Sarver to approve this season, but interim governor Sam Garvin presumably has a sense of how much the Suns owner is prepared to spend on the roster. Team salary is already well above the luxury tax line.
- While Windhorst doesn’t explicitly confirm any specific trade targets for the Suns, he says he wouldn’t be surprised if the team makes a play for Jazz forward Bojan Bogdanovic. Phoenix’s interest in Bogdanovic has been previously reported, though a handful of teams are believed to be eyeing the veteran, who is on an expiring deal.
- Windhorst also confirms that the Suns are engaged in rookie scale extension talks with sharpshooter Cameron Johnson. The two sides have until October 17 to reach a deal. If Johnson hasn’t signed an extension by that point, he’ll be on track for restricted free agency in 2023.
Crowder would be a good addition for the Bulls.
I imagine the Jazz and Suns would involve a 3rd team if they wanted a trade. Crowder obviously doesn’t fit the Jazz’s current timeline unless they think they’re going to retool after all? Ainge said they were “starting over”.
Cam Johnson definitely going to get his money either now or later.
I definitely see a third team getting involved. Three team trade.
Phoenix Suns get
Bojan Bogdanovic
Utah Jazz get
Dario Saric
Danny Green
1st round picks from Phoenix Suns
Memphis Grizzlies get
Jae Crowder
It’s a great trade for all teams.
Phoenix Suns get a upgrade at the Power Forward position.
Utah Jazz get expiring deals and veterans that won’t get in the way of their young guys and their minutes. Then most importantly Danny Ainge gets another first round pick.
Memphis Grizzlies get a very nice veteran that can not only bring toughness and leadership he fills in great while Jaren Jackson Jr. is recovering from injury.
There would need to be another team. The Jazz already have too many contracts. They’d have to waive players if this was the only trade they did before the November deadline. This trade would put them at 18 guaranteed. Can only have 15 plus 2 two-ways.
I see crowder to the Cavs as the best fit. Crowder and shamet for levert. Levert can combo guard off the bench. Good fit for both teams. Cavs can roll out the best defense in the league with okoro/crowder/Mobley/ Allen
Crowder is going back to the Celtics. Bondanovic is going to the Pelicans in return for the Lakers swap 24/25 pick they got from them.
Connolly will be bought out and is headed back to Memphis.
That’s a little too random to be pulled out of a hat. I could see this happening, actually. Unless the Jazz want to keep Conley around as a vet presence in the locker room. I know he’s said that he and his family really like living in Utah. Of course, if Memphis was a possibility then I’d doubt he’d pass that up.
Think I said it a month or so ago but the suns NEED to make a trade to get better.
I think they peaked a couple seasons ago when they made the finals and lost, last year they took a small backwards step not improving the roster and missed the final. Now as CP3 gets older he can’t score as freely as he once did and his defence has gotten a lot worse. The young guys do improve which counters that but the rest of the league improves too. Denver got better defenders and will welcome back a healthy Jamal Murray, Minnesota obviously traded for Gobert aswell as other good moves, The Mavs added Christian Wood and more, Portland retooled its roster, Lakers might still trade Russ, Clippers added John Wall and that’s just teams in the West.
Although it’s a step in the right direction looking to trading Jae Crowder for Bojan. I think they need more than that.
I’d be testing the waters on Julius Randle.
He would suit the timeline well with Booker, Bridges and Ayton. Would fit well on the floor as a second scoring option who can get points inside and outside. He offers some playmaking ability, he rebounds really well and he’s got the hunger and drive to want to win.
Knicks and knicks fan seem really interested in wanting to get rid of him. Can’t say I’ve seen much of him in games but 2 seasons ago he was all nba, he lead them to the playoffs, and even on a down year averaged basically 25-10-5.
Jae Crowder I think is someone that would interest the knicks too, his versatility, his scrappy defence, he’s one of those rugged players thins would give heaps of minutes and trust.
Along with Crowder I’d throw in Cam Johnson. Good upside, versatile, great shooter, fits the timeline of Brunson and Barrett. He would be a good addition having missed out on Donovan Mitchell.
The deal
Julius Randle for Jae Crowder, Cam Johnson, Torrey Craig and 2 second round picks
Good deal for the knicks and great deal for the suns. Then because it’s a 3 for 1 trade you’ve then opened up additional roster spots too. I’d head back into the FA market and grab Blake Griffin, DeAndre Bembry and DJ Augustine.
CP3 and Blake obviously know each other’s game and he would fit well coming off the bench. If he performs badly you have Saric. Bembry is a solid forward that can really do it all would be a terrific addition. Then DJ just for depth.
Suns then line up
CP3. Payne. Augustine
Booker. Shamet. Lee
Bridges. Bembry. Okogie
Randle. Griffin. Saric
Ayton. Biyambo. Landale
This team might result in a couple less wins during the regular season but overall it would be a better side, and once they make the playoffs they would be all adjusted and settled in and would be a much more dangerous side.
That’s probably too much to give up for Randle, but I’m sure the Knicks would go for it. They need toughness vs Randle’s mental game he’s been suffering from. A change of scenery would do him good.
For the knicks I think it would be the perfect rebound after missing Spida. They resigned Barrett which some what eases the pressure from the fans. However making this move would please alot of those fans.
Brunson Barrett Johnson Crowder Robinson
Better size, better outside shooting, better defenders. Brunson and Barrett can run the show with Randle now gone.
As for the Suns, might be considered to much but it’s 3, 1 year deals. Crowder doesn’t have to much value, Craig is nothing but salary matching and then it’s Johnson on an expiring deal. I feel like it’s pretty even value but maybe remove one of the second round picks or both idk but I feel like it’s pretty even value
I like Cam Johnson to Knicks. Would be a very nice addition. Same timeline as rebuild.
I like Randle to PHX, but as a non-ball dominant player. He could be very effective without that much usage. Very good rebounder and drive for the game.
I.don’t think a CP3 and Blake reunión would happen
Feel like that starting 5 for the knicks would be really good, much better than giving up everything for Spida.
Brunson Barrett Johnson Crowder Robinson
Brunson most likely runs the show and would do well. Barrett gets a good opportunity on offence and his size helps Brunson in the backcourt. Johnson at the 3 spaces the floor well and is good defensively, Crowder similarly can give you some points but is mainly there for defence and leadership of a young side. Mitchell Robinson at the 5 will get an open paint with no Randle, needs to work extremely hard to cover ground, block shots and rebound. For a Thibs side tho it’s everything he would want. Hard working, good defensively and smart players.
Then would be looking to get rid of Evan Fournier which would open up more minutes for the young guards (Quickly, McBride, Grimes). Combine him with Cam Reddish who the team doesn’t look like they want to keep either and just look to add depth or expiring contracts.
Possible ideas:
Evan Fournier and Cam Reddish for Doug McDermott and Zach Collins
Give Reddish another chance under a good head coach to prove himself. Evan Fouriner would be a good vet leader and if you get Victor the French connection would help him.
McDermott gives Knicks depth as does Collins. Collins also on a non guaranteed second year and can cut him if doesn’t preform.
Evan Fouriner and Cam Reddish for Gary Harris and Terrance Ross
Gary Harris will likely be out most the season if not the whole thing with a serious knee injury again. Ross has been rumoured out for a couple seasons now. Fouriner returns back to Orlando and gives them real depth at the 2 spot. Reddish also get another opportunity on a good young team.
Knicks get Ross who would be a solid bench contributor and on an expiring deal. Gary Harris has a non guaranteed second year so they likely waive him and it’ll free up money.
You make the Randle deal and flip Fouriner and Reddish for one of these I think this could genuinely be a playoff side.
As for the Suns I also doubt there is a CP3 BG reunion. Think both players still hold a grudge against one another but I would make some sense if they didn’t. Griffin is very skilled and for the second unit you’d be adding a big which can dribble, drive and shoot. However he is soft and not the hardest worker. Not really the kinda guy they have gone for lately so ultimately it would be a reach.
That’s true. Just keep in mind that Crowder can be frustrating as a shooter. One game he’ll be lights out and help you win a game. The next night he’ll try shoot himself out of a slump and go 2/12. Pretty sure why the Jazz included him in the Conley trade. Plus, they obviously signed Bojan that Summer.