The Hawks have emerged as a potential suitor for Suns forward Jae Crowder, reports Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium (video link). Crowder has been away from the Suns this preseason as the team looks to trade him.
According to Charania, the Hawks and Suns have had some discussions about Crowder in recent weeks and months, with Atlanta exploring whether there’s a way to add the veteran as a complementary piece to a core headlined by the star backcourt of Trae Young and Dejounte Murray.
An Atlanta package for Crowder, who has an expiring $10.18MM contract, could begin with Justin Holiday, whose own expiring deal is worth $6.29MM. Because their team salary is right around the tax line, the Hawks would have to add at least one more player for salary-matching purposes.
However, minimum-salary veterans Aaron Holiday and Frank Kaminsky aren’t trade-eligible until December 15, Vit Krejci can’t be rerouted in a trade that aggregates his salary until November 27, and the club would presumably be reluctant to part with 2021 first-round pick Jalen Johnson or 2022 first-rounder AJ Griffin.
There are other ways Atlanta could make a deal work, but those structures would require the team to move a more valuable rotation player, such as De’Andre Hunter or Bogdan Bogdanovic.
The Hawks are hardly the only Eastern Conference playoff contender with interest in Crowder. Previous reports have indicated that the Bucks and Heat are potential suitors for the 32-year-old, and Zach Lowe of ESPN confirmed as much last Thursday. The Cavaliers are also rumored to be interested.
During the first week of training camp, Suns head coach Monty Williams told reporters that it would be good to have the Crowder situation resolved by opening night if possible. As Marc Stein writes today at his Substack, Phoenix would like to acquire a player who can immediately step into the rotation rather than settling for future assets.
I’d rather not trade Justin Holiday but if we can get Jae for Justin & Kaminsky in December (when Bogdan is back playing his 6th man role) that would prob make us a better team. Jae has that toughness, experience & ability to drain corner treys that could def help us win the East. If we trade Jalen Johnson I’m gonna be extremely upset tho
The east is tougher then it’s been in a while. I don’t put the hawks in that top tier yet but keep making moves and that could all change. Getting Murray was impressive.
Since the post was removed sorry about what that guy said directed at you.
Trade Hunter or Bogdanovic for Crowder would allow Suns to pay additional $40 million luxury tax next season alone
It would also increase income for tanking teams
Good idea for the bad teams
Bring GA boy back to GA
I bet Crowder goes to Buck$
This is dumb. Phoenix should just start him and continue to win with the depth they have at the 4/3 positions…unless they get something comparable back, or at least a good asset, I dont see why it makes sense for them to trade Jae Crowder, when they’re trying to win. I also think they should extend him, if that’s what he wants, as it doesmt preclude them from doing other things, and they can always move him in the offseason
He asked for a trade didn’t he?
Willds,Yes he did because he does not want to come off the bench in a contract year. Pretty selfish in my opinion and I see he wants to be at his best and get a new contract, but it sure doesn’t sit well on a team with championship aspirations.
Formerlyz, I think they want to start cam Johnson instead. Better all around player and hopefully will develop even more than he already has. If and when the suns do trade crowder, they will definitely miss his toughness. Very important come play off time.
@Gary Couldn’t agree more. Sign him and start him, trade him later. Closer the playoff time his value will rise.
They still use Cam Johnson for 30ish minutes per, so why does that matter? Plus it gives them more balance on the floor and more depth at those positions, which is the main reason they’ve been so good. They have mire depth going into this year, but even more reason to be optimistic about their chances. Makes no sense to move him without getting some kind of comparable piece
You know what you’re right formerlyz. It really doesn’t make sense. I guess they like to get something for him now instead of letting him walk next summer for nothing. Poor way to handle the situation I think. But essentially it’s what the Warriors are doing but I guess they have a bunch of young guys ready to step in that Phoenix doesn’t.
I like Craig, I like Wainright, Okogie can play the 3 and give them defense, TLC as a 2/3 to replace depth they lost with Nader, but having Crowdsr just makes them so much better, it makes no sense not to use him the way they’ve been using him, for no real reason
As a franchise with championship hopes, you need all of your players, 1-15 to buy in. That doesn’t happen when a role play makes a stink about wanting starting minutes. With all the other drama surrounding the Suns at the moment, Monte knows Crowder needs to go. Good luck to whoever wants this over confident cry baby!
Shamet and crowder for Duncan robinson
The Suns would rather sit Crowder then bail out Miami like that. Duncan isn’t exactly the type of player the Suns need in the playoffs.
They need a consistent shooter. Duncan and shamet have the same length contract and Duncan is a better player
I thought for sure they would’ve kept Harkless for his salary for this. I think they could still put a nice lil package of young players/picks for Crowder. Krejci/Jalen Johnson/Tyrese Martin/2nds for Crowder would be good for both teams.
That’sa good deal for y’all.
I’llwhoop the Hawks ass they gave up JJ for a role player.
Maybe Kreji Martin and a second.
We’re keeping JJ for when we trade Collins and Clint
Sounds to me like Jae Crowder’s agent hit up Shams for an article because nobody was showing any interest.
Article references discussions “weeks” and “months” ago. If Atlanta was interested, wouldn’t they have had discussions at least in the past couple of days??????
The author goes through trade pieces on his own. No info on players from any “source”. There is no new information being reported here.
Or here. ^
Hard to see Holiday being the best offer for Crowder, but I guess it’s possible?
Also, FWIW, if Crowder is objecting to not starting Phoenix is he … going to start over Hunter or Collins? Both seem like better players than Crowder at this point
Cleveland seems like a better fit, where Crowder seems like a logical cog between Mobley/Allen and Garland/Mitchell as the 5th starter.
Would LeVert have any appeal to Phoenix as a guy who can give them some extra creation when Booker and Paul are off the ball (especially if they’re trying to lighten CP’s workload this season)?
Jae Crowder is a extremely solid role player. I don’t see him going to the Atlanta Hawks. I can see him going to the Chicago Bulls, Cleveland Cavaliers, Milwaukee Bucks, or the Memphis Grizzlies.
He from the outskirts of the city.
He wants to come home
Trade Crowder and Shamet for a good pf to start. Cam is good off the bench as a SF and saric at PF
not a huge Crowder fan, but would bet it makes the vegas over/under increase if they get him for nothing