NBA Trade Rumors: Jae Crowder could still be a trade option for the Miami Heat as they continue to wait on bigger deals.
As far as the Miami Heat is concerned, they seem perfectly fine with waiting out the Kevin Durant situation. As they probably should. Though, with the start of training camp in the not-so-distant future, it would be wise for them to start considering the thought of other options.
And according to recent reports, one of those “other” options could be Jae Crowder. He’s an old face that played a vital role in the team’s run to the NBA Finals in the bubble.
Crowder is entering the final year of his contract with the Phoenix Suns and could move on from them after the season. At 32 years old, Crowder could be looking to pursue a championship with another team. Or maybe his price tag would be too high for the Suns.
Perhaps Phoenix would be more open to trading him before the season in an attempt to add an asset. Depending on what Miami would be willing to part way with, they could be a possible landing spot.
However, he could be worth a gamble for a team like the Heat that could be looking for a rental option at the power forward position heading into this season. And while Crowder isn’t the complete player that PJ Tucker is, he could replicate some of the same skill set for the team (as we saw during their run to the NBA Finals in 2020).
Though, that move would likely be viewed as more of a saving face type of decision for the Heat. And the only way, at least in my opinion, the Heat makes this move is if they fall out of the sweepstakes for Durant.
Miami has made it clear that it is all-in on Durant. Even though they may not be willing to include Bam Adebayo in any deal, they seem to be fine with waiting it out over the next few weeks. Though, if nothing materializes, it wouldn’t be surprising if Crowder once again becomes an option for the Heat.