Phoenix is “very active” in exploring trades for veteran Jae Crowder

The Phoenix Suns are reportedly shopping for one of their veteran players.

 

Brian Windhorst said on the last episode of NBA Today that forward Jae Crowder is “available,” and the team has been “very actively” looking for trades. Windhorst added that people around the league believe the Suns aren’t afraid to continue spending and can bring money back from the deal in hopes of using it to add or retain another player.

 

Crowder has spent the past two seasons with the Suns and is entering the final season of a three-year deal worth $10.2 million. He averaged 9.4 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.4 steals in 67 games during the 2021-22 season.

 

Crowder is a second-round pick in 2012 and known for his defense and ability to stretch the floor. The 32-year-old is also valued for his locker room presence, but his move would potentially help the Suns’ championship aspirations.

 

Windhorst noted that he “wouldn’t be surprised” if Phoenix entered talks with the Utah Jazz for forward Bojan Bogdanović, who is also “available” on the market and has “several teams” chasing him. The Suns are also working on a contract extension for 26-year-old swingman Cam Johnson in hopes of avoiding another restricted free agency scenario after nearly losing center Deandre Ayton in the offseason.

 

Last year, Phoenix was by far the best team in the regular season, finishing with a 64-18 record. The Suns were hoping to return to the NBA Finals for the second straight year, but the team’s championship hopes were dashed as they lost to the Dallas Mavericks in seven games in the Western Conference semifinals.

 

The Suns will begin their bid for another NBA Finals appearance against the Mavericks on October 19.

 

Meta: The Phoenix Suns are reportedly shopping for one of their veteran players. Brian Windhorst said on the last episode of NBA Today.