While the Bucks, Heat and Hawks have been the three teams most commonly linked to Suns forward Jae Crowder, league sources tell Matt Moore of Action Network that the Bulls and Trail Blazers are also interested in his services.
Previous reports have indicated that Josh Hart might be the most available player on the Blazers’ roster, and Moore hears the same. As we previously noted, Hart’s $13MM player option for next season is non-guaranteed, so he’s expected to decline the option and hit free agency.
The Bulls discussed a deal with the Suns that would have sent Coby White to Phoenix, but “no real traction is thought to be present,” according to Moore. The Suns are reportedly looking for backcourt help and have been hit hard by injuries to key guards this season.
Portland and Chicago have also discussed deals with one another, Moore writes, but he doesn’t specify which players may have been involved.
The Suns have been on the hunt for a star player, with most trade talks veering toward “grander ideas,” per Moore. Phoenix has held out on a Crowder trade in part because it could include his $10.2MM expiring contract in a larger deal for salary-matching purposes.
However, Moore states that the most likely outcome is Crowder will be involved in a smaller trade for a rotation player. The 32-year-old has yet to play this season after a mutually agreed upon holdout.
The Suns have handled this deal horribly. The will get Pennie’s on the dollar for waiting so long
Why do Bulls want him? No thanks…
I like Crowder with the Bulls
White is only worth a future 25th pick
Bulls need shooting and better perimeter defense. Crowder has both. Question is if they would rather let the season play out and
keep losing or would they make some trades that would potentially make their roster better. Trading for a guy like crowder would help them make a push for the playoffs.
How has his defense been this year with phoenix? Oh, he hasn’t played all season because he’s sulking because they told him he’s not starting anymore. He sucks.
Scratching my head at the Bulls interest in Crowder. Do they think they’re a few role players away from competing? They should be shopping Vuc and Derozan for picks and expiring contracts. Vuc is an upcoming free agent and Derozan has only one year left. Ball looks like he is not returning any time soon.
Trade away a few assets, do a soft rebuild (still have Lavine for four more years after this year), tank the rest of the way this year. Then use your picks and cap space to reload.
As a bulls and sox fan, I can only assume both franchises will remain in turmoil until Jerry reinsdorf “leaves.” Hopefully, a less out-of-touch, greedy owner fills the role.
Unfortunately Reinsdoof will never sell the team. Forever in basketball purgatory
They really do need to sell high on derozan and Vuc. I’m not a huge Lavine fan. I wish he would put his head down and play when the going gets tough. He tends to get flustered, tunnel visioned, and argumentative with refs instead. It’s not a great example when you’re the highest paid on the team.
I agree. But unfortunately, I think they are stuck with him so they may as well try to build around him.
If Suns really really want to get better offers, they should not permit Bucks to talk to Crowder
Suns GMs don’t understand “in good faith”
Bucks offered up 5 players for crowder. Suns probably won’t get a better offer than that from other teams. Either they make a deal that gives them what they need or lose him in FA for nothing
Top-3 GMs in good faith
Pat Riley
Bob Myers
Clippers GM
If I’m CHI, I’d do White for Crowder. Since I wouldn’t be planning a QO for White, so I see no downside.
10 days out, I can see PHX wanting to see if they can do a larger deal, but the TD isn’t the best time to shop for a so-called star, any more than an actual one.
Jae Crowder for Josh Hart …
Looks like a great deal for both sides.
If I was Portland or Chicago I don’t like those deals for Crowder without some draft compensation also. The way he has pouted out of Phoenix reportedly, is not a good look either if true.
Josh hart is a very under rated roll player. His stats dont do his hustle and intangibles justice. Suns would be luck to come up with Hart in a direct trade for crowder. Blazers should look for a sweetener. .