Back on September 25th, Shams reported that the Suns would hold forward Jae Crowder out of training camp while the two sides found a trade partner. I’m not sure whether this stemmed from a failing relationship between Crowder and the players/coaches, or if they just felt like Cam Johnson was the better option. Either way, Crowder will wear a different jersey this season. 

     As for potential trading partners, Phoenix has engaged in talks with many Eastern conference teams, including the Hawks and Wizards. Atlanta appears to be the current frontrunner to land Crowder, but talks have seemingly stalled since Shams first reported the news back in early October. I expect talks will intensify as we near the February trade deadline. 

     As for Washington, the question remains: Why trade for Crowder when you already have an inflated front court? You already have Deni, Corey, Kuz, Rui, and Barton competing for those minutes, so why add another forward into the fold? Well, one must give in order to receive, and in this case, Washington may have to part with two forwards to get one.  

     The Suns need a power forward. That is quite apparent. What’s unclear is if Phoenix wants to lead towards the future as they did with Johnson and acquire young talent, or if they simply want the best player available. My solution: give them both. Think about it. The Wizards have a 24-year-old power forward. He’s a top ten bench scorer and ranks among the best in double-digit scoring games off the bench. That player: Rui Hachimura. 

     Rui is everything that the Suns want. He’s versatile, can hit the three at an efficient clip, and adds size to a team that likes to play big. Washington knows it can’t extend both Rui and Kuzma, and with the way Kuz has been playing, I’m not sure they can let him walk. This “Big 3” of Kuzma, KP, and Beal has been hyped up way too much for Tommy, or Ted for that matter, to let go. If Ted was good with giving Otto Poter Jr. $100 million, then he’s GOT to be ok with giving Kyle the bag.  

 

The trade: 

 

What’s in it for Phoenix? 

The suns are able to unload to expiring contracts and take in two more. This helps their cap situation with a Cameron Johnson extension looming this offseason. Furthermore, the two players shipped out, Crowder and Sarić, aren’t a part of their current rotation. It will be as if they’re bringing in two players and losing none.

Although Phoenix receives two players, Hachimura is what makes this deal work. His 6’8 frame parallels Cam Johnson’s, who will be lost for most of the season with a meniscus injury. Rui fills that void with his outside shooting. He’ll space the floor and make defenders pay for helping off him to cover Booker/CP3.

 

Why would Washington make this trade? 

For starters, they know they have to make a tough decision: Rui or Kuzma. Retaining both is nearly impossible, so getting something for Rui while you can is a plus. Although it doesn’t help their future, an experienced player like Crowder can change this team’s identity. In my opinion, we’re a bit soft. We lack that enforcer that gets in the opponents face and doesn’t take anyone’s shit. That was Trez last year, and until he lost the locker room, it had this team playing with a toughness I hadn’t seen in years. He’s a 3 & D player (a TRUE 3 & D) that spaces the floor and makes defenses pay for overhelping. Not only will you have Deni to guard the best player, but now Crowder who can do the same thing, and inevitably assumes Deni’s role when he gets into foul trouble.

As for Sarić, he’s a little over a year removed from an ACL injury that cost him the entire 2021-22 season. He’ll be fresh with all the DNP’s he’s been getting and is an upgrade from Gill. Not saying he’ll get huge minutes, but he can rebound, finish strong, and do all the dirty work that most run from.

 

That’s the deal I would make for Crowder. We not only get the defensive wing we need but upgrade our bench depth as well. Barton’s iso scoring and turnovers will be a thing of the past. Although it would suck to see Rui go, he’s a depreciating asset if you’re not going to extend him.

Let me know what you think! If you disagree or have a counteroffer, please let me know either in the comments or on Twitter @GregFinberg!

 

All stats, info, and other sites listed here:

https://fanspo.com/nba/trade-machine

https://www.statmuse.com/nba/player/jae-crowder-767

Twitter.com/ShamsCharania