While the Phoenix Suns managed to keep young star big man Deandre Ayton, they are now dealing with the departure of swingman Jae Crowder, a valued 3-and-D veteran who made a noticeable impact for the Suns last season.
While Crowder has hinted about his breakup with Phoenix in the past, Shams Charania’s recent story on the situation all but confirms that he has played his last game for the franchise.
The Phoenix Suns and Jae Crowder have mutually agreed that the veteran forward will not participate in training camp as the sides work on a trade, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium
Crowder’s last three NBA seasons have consisted of back-to-back runs to the NBA Finals (Miami 2020, Phoenix 2021) and league- and franchise-best 64 wins for the Suns in 2021-22. Crowder has been a key part of the Suns rotation; team has gone 115-39 in his two seasons.
Crowder's last three NBA seasons have consisted of back-to-back runs to the NBA Finals (Miami 2020, Phoenix 2021) and league- and franchise-best 64 wins for the Suns in 2021-22. Crowder has been a key part of the Suns rotation; team has gone 115-39 in his two seasons. https://t.co/AtQHo5ecUE
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) September 25, 2022
While we don’t know the exact reasons for Crowder’s departure, we do know that the 32-year-old has been itching for a change for a while now.
Jae Crowder Is Completely Checked Out In Phoenix
Back in August, he first revealed his intentions with a cryptic tweet that caught many fans off guard.
The Suns went through offseason turmoil this year with the reluctant max-contract extension they handed out to Deandre Ayton after they matched the contract that the Indiana Pacers had offered the star center. With a roster that looks intact heading into the 2022-23 season, it seems the Suns may have to make a move to get rid of a different disgruntled player.
Jae Crowder has added a lot of toughness to this Suns team after he joined them from the Miami Heat. It looks like Crowder is hinting at a move away from the Suns in a cryptic Tweet that he shared.
CHANGE IS INEVITABLE… GROWTH IS OPTIONAL.!! I BELIEVE ITS TIME FOR A CHANGE… I WANNA CONTINUE GROWING.!
CHANGE IS INEVITABLE.. GROWTH IS OPTIONAL.!! I BELIEVE ITS TIME FOR A CHANGE… I WANNA CONTINUE GROWING.!
— JAE CROWDER (@CJC9BOSS) August 1, 2022
It seems like Crowder has lost faith in Phoenix’s ability to compete, and it’s hard not to imagine how he’d see things that way. After making the Finals in 2022, the Suns followed it up with a highly disappointing campaign last season and haven’t really gotten any better to make up for it.
Without Crowder, it’ll only be another reason why they might struggle to return to the top of the West standings.
For now, though, Phoenix will proceed without him as they look around the league for the best possible return.
