Jae Crowder remains away from the Suns after not only not getting the extension he wanted but also being told Cameron Johnson could take his starting spot. Both sides are looking for a trade with the Heat and Bucks among the teams at the front of the line.
Enter the Atlanta Hawks, reports Shams Charania of The Athletic.
Eastern Conference contender emerges as interested suitor for Suns' Jae Crowder: pic.twitter.com/oxw12tvnUt
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) October 10, 2022
The first thing to note, Charania uses the phrasing “in recent weeks and months” to describe the conversations — the Hawks are not new to this dance, and a deal has yet to be struck. So unless something has changed in the negotiations, something not mentioned in this report, don’t expect a trade imminently. Did this get leaked out of the Suns’ side to try and pressure other suitors to up their offer?
With John Collins having long been on the trade market, the Hawks bringing in the veteran Crowder as a backup 3-4 makes just in case makes some sense. But Crowder wants to start, or at least have a huge role, and there is a sharp drop off from Collins to Crowder, so are the Hawks making this move if Collins is sticking around?
This trade also could come together easily if the Hawks were willing to trade De’Andre Hunter for Crowder, but would Atlanta want to trade its 23-year-old starting three for a 32-year-old backup four? Would the Suns be willing to accept a construction more like Jarrett Culver and AJ Griffin, plus maybe a second-round pick, for Crowder? All this might be why no deal has come together yet.
This is something to monitor, but like most NBA trade rumors this may be more smoke than fire.
