While the Phoenix Suns managed to keep young big man Deandre Ayton, not every member of their core will be returning for another run.
This summer, veteran swing man Jae Crowder made news when it was announced that he would miss out on training camp to await a trade from the team.
Reports at the time said it was a mutual decision.
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.
It was a pretty surprising announcement that really got people wondering that went wrong.
And while we might never know the full details of Crowder’s exit, NBA Insider Marc Stein suggested that a non-guaranteed spot in the starting lineup may have something to do with it.
Entering the final season of his current contract at $10.2 million, Jae Crowder let the Suns know that he was seeking a contract extension. League sources say that the Suns’ messaging, in response, was to let Crowder know that, at 32, he was no longer assured of starting or finishing games ahead of Cam Johnson. That gulf between the parties led Crowder to seek an exit from the desert that has landed him on indefinite mutual leave from the team until Phoenix can find a trade for him. Cleveland and Milwaukee have been mentioned as potential suitors and Ja Morant appeared to signal some Memphis interest with the enclosed tweet. Sources say Dallas is not actively pursuing Crowder despite reports that have listed the Mavericks as interested.
Crowder is a great 3-and-D wing who has been extremely valuable and productive for Phoenix. But, at 32 years old, there is a sense that Crowder’s best days are behind him and the Suns aren’t willing to make him any promises.
Whether you agree with the love or not, it’s another blow for the Suns, who are already having to deal with locker room drama in the aftermath of their failed playoff run last season.
