NBA Rumors: Eastern Conference Power Among 3 Teams With Interest In Jae Crowder

The Jae Crowder drama plays on in Phoenix, as the forward continues to sit out waiting for the team to deal him. According to NBA Insider Shams Charania, a new team has entered the fray. 

The Bucks and Suns have engaged in trade conversations for Jae Crowder, per @ShamsCharania

The Heat and Hawks reportedly remain interested as well pic.twitter.com/IdYh39hdh8

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) October 24, 2022

"The Suns have recently been engaged in talks with the (Milwaukee) Bucks on a potential Jae Crowder trade, sources said," writes Charania in The Athletic. "Milwaukee has registered interest in the veteran forward who has remained away from the Suns’ organization as both sides work toward a trade."

The Bucks haven't yet filled the PJ Tucker role from the 2021 championship squad, and Crowder could very well step into that void, providing similar qualities of a power forward who can (sometimes, maybe?) stretch the floor and provide toughness on defense.

The disgruntled 32-year-old Crowder, however, earns $10M, and to make the trade work, opines Eric Nehm of The Athletic, the Bucks would likely have to part with Grayson Allen ($8.5M, the closest salary match). That would rob the Bucks of one of their best shooters, says Nehm, while replacing him with an "average" shooter. As he notes, teams "don’t seem to care whether or not [Crowder] takes 3-pointers," thus negating some of his floor-spacing abilities.  

If not the Bucks, then who? 

Charania also notes that the Atlanta Hawks remain interested in Crowder as well, along with the Miami Heat, who we reported have made a recent offer that the Suns turned down. 

Photo: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports