Hawks reportedly in Jae Crowder trade mix, talked with Suns

The Atlanta Hawks have been in contact with Phoenix in the “recent weeks and months” regarding the trade availability of Suns forward Jae Crowder, reports The Athletic’s Shams Charania.

Crowder has not joined the Suns for training camp or preseason play as Phoenix has moved forward with Cam Johnson expected to assume his starting power forward role.

Charania previously reported that Dallas, Miami, Boston, Memphis and Utah were potential trade partners for Crowder, who likely is seeking to join a contender.

Atlanta certainly fits that mold. What the Suns could be asking for in return is unknown, but they had pursued forwards Bojan Bogdanovic and Jarred Vanderbilt previously this offseason, according to Arizona Sports’ John Gambadoro.

Hawks starting forward De’Andre Hunter, like Crowder, is entering a contract year if the team does not seek to extend him before the season begins.

Financially, he could be a straight one-for-one swap with Crowder, but his 133 starts in 139 games played, versatile defense and 38% three-point shooting last year make him seem too valuable to give up for an expiring veteran at his same position — unless the Hawks are making a straight salary-savings move for next year and beyond.

More reasonable contracts to dump on Atlanta’s end are center Clint Capela and backup guard Bogdan Bogdanovic, who are each making north of $18 million this coming year. Crowder and either center Dario Saric’s or guard Landry Shamet’s contracts could be combined and traded straight-up for Capela or Bogdanovic.

Capela has three seasons left on his deal and could be moved with youngster Onyeka Okongwu ready for a larger role. But why the Suns would take on an expensive rim-rolling center with Deandre Ayton and Bismack Biyombo on the roster is a wonder.

Bogdanovic would give Phoenix a solid backcourt contributor to take the load off Chris Paul and Devin Booker. He can play on or off the ball. Bogdanovic in late May underwent right knee surgery and was expected to be out for three months.

The 30-year-old’s role could be reduced after the Hawks picked up All-Star guard Dejounte Murray to pair with Trae Young this offseason.

Bogdanovic averaged 15.1 points and 3.1 assists while shooting 43% overall and 37% from three-point range last season.

Bogdanovic was a 2014 first-round pick (27th overall) by the Suns. He remained in Europe and had his rights traded to the Sacramento Kings on draft night of 2016 as Phoenix acquired eighth overall pick Marquese Chriss.

Wing Justin Holiday is another name to mention here, with his $6.3 million salary paired with another smaller contract coming Phoenix’s way as a possibility.

The older brother of Phoenix’s mid-year pickup last year, current Hawks point guard Aaron Holiday, averaged 10.1 points between the Indiana Pacers and Sacramento Kings last season.

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