NBA Rumors: Why 3-Team Deal For Crowder Fell Through

A recent three-team trade that would have finally got Jae Crowder on the court this season fell through, according to NBA Insider Shams Charania, because of Utah Jazz CEO Danny Ainge's demands.  

“Utah, Phoenix and Atlanta …those three teams discussed a potential deal. I’m told the deal failed to gain traction when Utah asked for multiple first-round picks.”

NBA Insider @ShamsCharania reports on Suns‘ Jae Crowder (@CJC9BOSS) and his value as well as Hawks‘ John Collins. pic.twitter.com/0btQBLuGDK

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“Utah, Phoenix and Atlanta …those three teams discussed a potential deal. I’m told the deal failed to gain traction when Utah asked for multiple first-round picks."

The potential deal would have seen Crowder head to the Atlanta Hawks, John Collins to the Utah Jazz along with multiple draft picks, and Malik Beasley and Jarred Vanderbilt going to the Phoenix Suns. 

Utah apparently was asking for first-round picks in order to "take on" the contract of Collins, who's only in the 2nd season of a 5-year, $125M deal. But the Hawks don't look at trading their power forward as a "salary dump," says Charania. 

It seems like Ainge and the Jazz are looking to have their cake and eat it too. Are they trying to contend this season after their strong start, or are they still in 'tank mode', trying to gather all the future assets they can? Utah is now 19-17, in 9th spot in the West, but just 1.5 games out of the 4th seed.

The Suns, on the other hand, are struggling, losers of three straight and seven of their last ten, and really in need of getting a return for the absent Crowder. 

 Photo: Rob Gray-USA TODAY Sports