NBA Rumors: Miami Heat Have "Standing Offer" For Big Man Trade Target

The Miami Heat need some help to get themselves back to true title contender status, and reports say that their interest in a reunion with a key member of their 2020 Finals run is "ongoing."

According to Sean Deveney of heavy.com, the Heat are as "active as anybody", and want Jae Crowder back in South Beach. They have a "standing offer" to the Phoenix Suns, as noted by one Eastern Conference executive:

They have a standing offer to the Suns, as I understand it. (But) Phoenix wants to bring things closer to the deadline, to see if someone gets desperate, to see if they could do better or get Miami to add a pick. The Heat are going to do something big, and adding Crowder is probably the starting point, like the least thing they would do.

The report goes on to add that the Suns aren't interested in the offer of Duncan Robinson for Crowder, and that the Heat may have to raise the ante to Caleb Martin (and Dewayne Dedmon).  

Crowder has been sitting out the entire season, on an expiring $10M contract, waiting for the Suns to strike a deal to send him elsewhere. 

Last season, Crowder averaged 9.4 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.4 steals in 67 games for the Suns while shooting 34.8% from deep.

After the 2020 trade deadline, when Crowder arrived in Miami, he shot 44.5% from long range for the Heat, averaged 11.9 points, and helped lead the team to the NBA Finals in the Bubble. 

Erik Spoelstra and Co. would love to have the leadership and toughness he brought back on their roster.

Photo: Jim Rassol-USA TODAY Sports