Jae Crowder and the Phoenix Suns have initially thought that a deal would have appeared prior to this 2022-23 season.
Per Chris Haynes of TNT, both sides were expecting that a trade will finally materialize before the season tip-off has started, but things didn’t head in that way accordingly as the franchise remains looking for a proper transactional partner.
As such, Haynes noted that Crowder remains out of the team and has been in the “best shape possible of his career” while being ready to be back on action.
“Both sides, his agent and the Suns, they though they were going to come to an agreement on a trade before the season started, and things have been prolonged,” Haynes said. “He’s in the best shape possible of his career and he’s just ready to get back out there on the court.”
After learning that his starting duty for the Suns won’t be guaranteed, Crowder formally requested to be traded away after two seasons of partnership. Since the team’s training camp, he has been away and hoping that a trade finally materializes.
Averaging 9.7 points, 5.0 boards, 2.0 assists and 1.1 steals for the last two years he had in Phoenix, the disgruntled veteran has been a prized role player given his 3-and-D capabilities and versatility that fits well amongst the majority of the contending teams.
Several ball clubs in the likes of Milwaukee Bucks, Atlanta Hawks and the Miami Heat have already expressed their intent to acquire him, but it now boils down on how they will meet the asking price of the Suns to pull the trigger.
