NBA: 5 free agents that will make the biggest impact on their new teams in 2021

4. Jae Crowder, Phoenix Suns

When it comes to inexpensive wings that can guard the three or four position and hit the open three, there aren’t many better options than Jae Crowder.

After acquiring Chris Paul in a trade with Oklahoma City, the playoff-aspiring Phoenix Suns signed Crowder to a three-year, $30 million deal. The 30-year-old forward has been a playoff contributor in seven of his eight seasons as a pro, reaching the Finals with the Miami Heat last season.

Crowder started last season as a veteran presence on a young Memphis Grizzlies squad. In his third game as a Grizzly, Crowder stunned the Nets with a buzzer-beating game-winning three.

The remainder of his tenure in Memphis wouldn’t be as exciting, as Crowder shot a career-low 29 percent from 3. Clearly, the Miami Heat saw something in Crowder, though, and traded for him at the deadline.

Crowder would go on to play the best ball of his career in Erik Spoelstra’s system.

In the remaining 20 regular-season games, Crowder contributed 12 points per game on a blistering 45 percent from 3. Although Crowder had oscillated between starting and coming off the bench, Erik Spoelstra made him a full-time starter throughout the Heat’s 2020 playoff run.

His 3-point percentage fell back to earth a bit, but Crowder still shot 34 percent in Miami’s 21 postseason games. He was solid on both ends of the floor and was easily Miami’s fourth-best player in their Finals run behind Butler, Adebayo, and Dragic. Whether it was taking an open three or playing inspired defense, Crowder always seemed to make the right play.

For a Phoenix squad that clearly wants to contend this season, Crowder will be a perfect fit. Devin Booker’s ascension into superstar status was clear throughout Phoenix’s undefeated bubble performance, and now he’ll have a team around him with the potential to make some noise in the playoffs.