NBA Rumors: Milwaukee Bucks engaged in trade conversations with Phoenix Suns for Jae Crowder
Phoenix Suns forward Jae Crowder is rumored to have garnered attention from the Milwaukee Bucks. Shams Charania of The Athletic reported a potential trade deal as the Suns enter negotiation talks with the Bucks.
The Phoenix Suns have actively been pursuing trade talks involving Jae Crowder. As the two parties fell out prior to training camp, the Suns mutually agreed to facilitate a trade for the forward.
As things stand, the Suns forward has garnered a lot of attention from the Miami Heat. Although he was linked to the Atlanta Hawks in return for De'Andre Hunter as well, the Hawks shut the door on this trade when they offered Hunter a rookie-scale extension.
While it seemed increasingly likely that the Heat would remain frontrunners in the Jae Crowder sweepstakes, the Phoenix Suns saw a new team show interest. Shams Charania recently reported that the Milwaukee Bucks have also shown interest in acquiring the Suns forward. He wrote:
"In addition to the Hawks, the Suns have recently been engaged in talks with the Bucks on a potential Jae Crowder trade, sources said. Milwaukee has registered interest in the veteran forward who has remained away from the Suns’ organization as both sides work toward a trade.
"Miami is also believed to be among the current suitors for Crowder, according to league sources."
The Bucks and the Suns have engaged in trade conversations for Jae Crowder, per @ShamsCharania
The Heat and Hawks reportedly remain interested as well https://t.co/KwMvCv7TIM
While Charania hasn't mentioned the assets involved in the trade, the Bucks certainly have the pieces needed to acquire Crowder. Meanwhile, given the Suns' demands for a rotation player rather than draft capital, the Suns could also benefit from a potential trade with Milwaukee.
The Milwaukee Bucks could benefit from acquiring Jae Crowder
The Milwaukee Bucks are currently the top-ranked team in the Eastern Conference. With two wins and an unbeaten record, the Bucks look solid as they start their 2022-23 campaign. However, the team has its flaws.
The Bucks are currently playing with a three-guard lineup that features Jrue Holiday, Grayson Allen and Jevon Carter. This is primarily out of necessity as Khris Middleton is still recovering from injury.
While this rotation has yielded positive results, the Bucks still need someone who can defend bigger players while knocking down three-pointers. In this regard, Jae Crowder is a more than ideal fit given the needs listed.
While Crowder would benefit the Bucks, he would only be a starter for a limited amount of time. Milwaukee's priority remains Middleton and his ability to contribute trumps Crowder within the system.
Crowder could be equally effective coming off the bench. Considering that the Milwaukee Bucks have a similar type of player in Wesley Matthews, the Suns forward could carve out a place for himself on the roster.
However, this goes completely against the whole point of his demands to leave. The forward intends to be a starter on any team he joins. This is with particular reference to him losing his starting spot to Suns third-year forward Cam Johnson.
Whether this aspect of Crowder's demands will be a deterrant in trade negotiations is an unknown. However, any assets that Milwaukee has to offer could certainly facilitate a move in Phoenix's favor.