According to reports, the Miami Heat has a standing offer for Phoenix Suns forward Jae Crowder.
Crowder was a member of the Heat squad that reached the NBA Finals in the 2019–20 season, but he hasn’t played a single game this season for the Suns as the two parties try to work out a trade.
“According to what I understand, they have a standing offer for the Suns; an Eastern Conference executive told the source. Phoenix wants to make the situation more urgent so they can see if anyone becomes desperate, see if they can improve, or persuade Miami to add a selection. The Heat will do something significant, and getting Crowder on board is the logical place to start.”
After the 2022–23 season, Crowder will become an unrestricted free agent. Thus, it makes sense if the Suns would move on from him instead of risk losing him for nothing in free agency.
Sean Deveney claims Miami made the Suns a trade centered on Duncan Robinson. However, the Suns turned it down.
According to Deveney, “The Suns previously turned down an offer of Robinson for Crowder, and that isn’t likely to have changed.” To make the wages work and keep Miami under the luxury tax, center Dewayne Dedmon could be added. [Caleb] Martin would be the most likely candidate to move to Phoenix.
Given that Robinson has lost his starting spot and his contract has become somewhat of a headache for Miami, it seems that the Heat would want to sell him. Before the trade deadline for this season, the Heat reportedly tried to persuade parties that the sharpshooter is an asset.
Robinson is only scoring 6.9 points per game on a career-worst 36.8 percent field goal and 33.1 percent three-point shooting this season.
Regarding Crowder, he was essential to the Suns throughout the 2021–22 campaign. Crowder scored 9.4 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 1.9 assists per game while playing for Phoenix last season. He shot 34.8 percent from beyond the arc and 39.9 percent from the field.
After P.J., the Heat could use some additional depth up front. Tucker left in free agency, but the team might not want to trade Martin, who has two more seasons left on his deal after this one, for a rental like Crowder. Martin also has two more seasons left on his contract.
If Miami can find a deal that works, Crowder would fit in well on the current squad as he did when the Heat reached the NBA Finals.
In 20 games with the Heat in the 2019–20 season, Crowder averaged 11.9 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 1.8 assists while shooting 48.2 percent from the field plus 44.5 percent from 3-point range.
According to recent reports, Miami would only be engaged in Crowder in a buyout scenario. However, it now looks that the team would be open to trading for the Suns forward after all.