The Phoenix Suns have reportedly gone active about the availability of Jae Crowder in the marketplace.
Sources told ESPN’s Brian Windhorst (h/t HoopsHype) that the Suns have picked up their conversations with Crowder from the past few days. The club also tried to reengage on the previous trade talks they had with some suitors for the estranged forward.
“In the last few days, from what I understand, the Suns have picked up their Jae Crowder conversations,” said Brian Windhorst. “And tried to reengage on some old talks, so I am told.
“Now, does that mean they will find a deal? Obviously they’ve had some impetus to do that. It was bad news when Cam Johnson got hurt, but good news he was able to have a surgery where it was a partial removal as opposed to a repair, which would have meant him being out for the year.”
Given Cam Johnson’s inactivity from competitive basketball for over a month to recover from his meniscus surgery, it appears that urgency has risen for the Suns to squeeze their time into looking for several additions to swap for Crowder.
With Torrey Craig the only available sizeable wing at their frontcourt, Phoenix could look for other candidates with the same position as Crowder. But given that the veteran has an expiring deal this season, it is being assumed that the club can only settle in gaining a return that is much lower than their desires.
Crowder remains out of the Suns’ team activities since training camp as he waits for a trade to finally take place. The likes of Milwaukee Bucks and the Miami Heat have their eyes for him, with the Memphis Grizzlies, Cleveland Cavaliers and the Atlanta Hawks rumored as other interested teams from the past.
