NBA Trade Rumors: At least for now, it doesn’t appear as if the Miami Heat is going to end up trading for Jae Crowder at the NBA Trade Deadline.
Jae Crowder has not played in an NBA game this season. He was given permission from the Phoenix Suns to stay away from the team until they found a landing spot for him via trade. So far, that hasn’t happened. And with the NBA Trade Deadline a month away, you can’t help but wonder which side will blink first or if even a Crowder trade is likely at this point.
One team that many pointed to as one that would make sense as a potential Crowder suitor is the Miami Heat. They have a clear need at the power forward position and have some familiarity with Crowder – he was a part of the team that made a somewhat miraculous run to the NBA Finals during the 2020 NBA bubble playoffs.
However, up until now, the Heat has been unwilling to make an offer that would appease the Suns. And according to a recent report, it seems as if the Heat has thrown in the towel on that possibility. This report says that the Heat is not interested in trading for Crowder anymore and would only be open to adding him if it came via a buyout scenario.
What’s next for the Miami Heat?
Assuming that this report is accurate and it’s hard to question it at this point, it brings up many questions for the team moving forward. For instance, what does this mean for their pursuits at the NBA Trade Deadline? Does this report mean they don’t want to burn any of their assets heading into the deadline?
Is this report more negotiating than anything? It would be surprising if the Heat didn’t pursue a deal at the NBA Trade Deadline and Crowder seems to be one of the most realistic options for Miami at this point.
As the Heat continues to display inconsistency this season, you can’t help but wonder what the immediate future lies for this team. If they want to make the playoffs (and avid the Play-In Tournament), you’d have to imagine that they have to make some sort of move at the trade deadline.
Maybe the team has decided to pivot away from Crowder and aim bigger. Either way, the Heat is a team to watch over the next couple of weeks.