PHOENIX SUNS

Phoenix Suns open to trading forward Jae Crowder ‘in the right deal’

Jun 23, 2022, 8:01 AM | Updated: 10:46 am

Arizona Sports’ John Gambadoro confirmed Thursday that Suns forward Jae Crowder’s name has been discussed with a few teams and that Phoenix would trade him given the right deal.

Bleacher Report’s Jake Fischer first reported Wednesday that the team “called rivals to measure” the forward’s value on the trade market.

Fischer also references Phoenix being linked to guard Eric Gordon once again and that the team is looking for a second-round selection in Thursday’s draft.

The recent news comes after ESPN reporter Brian Windhorst on Tuesday said that he’s heard the Suns have interest in adding Gordon for a potential reunion with former Houston Rockets teammate and current Suns point guard Chris Paul.

It’s not the first time Phoenix has seemingly kicked the tires on a potential Gordan trade, either, with Fischer saying the Suns had discussions with the Rockets over the guard at February’s trade deadline.

And given Crowder’s expiring contract next season, the starting forward is a prime trade candidate for prospective teams. Per Spotrac, Crowder carries a 2022-23 cap hit of $10,183,800 and will be an unrestricted free agent heading into 2023-24.

In 67 games played last season, Crowder averaged 9.4 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.4 steals over 28.1 minutes per contest.

On top of the Suns evaluating teams’ interest in Crowder, Fischer also reported that Phoenix has sent messages to rivals and other league personnel that the Suns “won’t necessarily balk at matching any offer sheet for (Deandre) Ayton.”

The Bleacher Report writer added that Phoenix’s messaging centered around the big man came before the Detroit Pistons reportedly dealt forward Jerami Grant to the Portland Trail Blazers on Wednesday. Grant was considered a potential sign-and-trade piece to get Ayton to Detroit.

Fischer reported last Thursday that Ayton’s “most realistic landing spots” outside of the Suns were the Pistons, Atlanta Hawks and Toronto Raptors. He’s since added the Trail Blazers — although it’s expected they retain center Jusuf Nurkic — as well as the San Antonio Spurs to the mix.

As for how the Pistons navigate talks without a sign-and-trade candidate like Grant, that remains to be seen.

With no obvious sign-and-trade piece to send back to the Suns, it’s unclear whether Detroit will have an unencumbered pursuit of Ayton on the restricted free-agent market.

Phoenix Suns

Suns...

Kellan Olson

Shorthanded Suns hit wall offensively in loss to Nuggets

It was a steep uphill climb for the shorthanded Phoenix Suns on the second night of a back-to-back.

1 day ago

Bol Bol...

Damon Allred

Suns’ Bol Bol throws wild behind-the-back pass, sets up Damion Lee 3-pointer

Bol Bol took advantage of early minutes against the Nuggets by throwing a wild behind-the-back pass for an assist and following it up with a dunk.

1 day ago

Tom Izzo...

Associated Press

Tom Izzo ties Bob Knight’s Big Ten record with Mat Ishbia on hand for championship reunion

Michigan State coach Tom Izzo tied Bob Knight's Big Ten record for wins with Suns owner Mat Ishbia among the former champions attending for their team reunion.

1 day ago

Suns' Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal questionable against the Denver Nuggets....

Arizona Sports

Suns rule Kevin Durant, Bradley Beal out for Saturday’s game vs. Nuggets

The Suns listed Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal as questionable for Saturday's game against the Denver Nuggets.

1 day ago

Suns...

Kellan Olson

Suns avoid disaster, secure OT win via Booker and Allen heroics

We are better off not reviewing where the Phoenix Suns' 135-127 overtime victory over the Utah Jazz lands on the spectrum between nearly disastrous loss and spirit-lifting win.

2 days ago

Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) shoots in front of Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler during the f...

Lance Hartzler

Devin Booker drops season-high 47, Grayson Allen hits buzzer-beater in win over Jazz

Devin Booker dropped a season-high 47, and Grayson Allen hit a pair of clutch 3s en route to a win over the Utah Jazz Friday night.

2 days ago

Phoenix Suns open to trading forward Jae Crowder ‘in the right deal’