Report: Suns Re-engage Teams on Jae Crowder Talks

Photo By: Kevin C. Cox / Getty Images

The Miami Heat are coming off a close victory over the Charlotte Hornets, who were without three key players. It’s been an underwhelming start for the Heat this season with a 5-7 record. Through 12 games, Miami hasn’t looked close to the team that clinched the No.1 seed in the Eastern Conference last season. Last year, they had the 12th-best offensive rating at 113.0 and the fourth-best defensive rating at 108.4. However, so far this year, they have fallen to 21st in offensive rating (109.8) and 13th in defensive rating (110.8). Normally, contending teams are in the top ten in at least one of the categories. Unfortunately, the Heat are not in the top ten in either category this season.

Miami’s biggest roster hole has been the frontcourt position. Since P.J. Tucker departed to the Philadelphia 76ers, Miami hasn’t found a replacement for him. Instead, they decided to keep the roster intact and see how the current team looks. Usually, teams wait until after the first quarter of the season to engage in trade talks with other teams. There’s not much panic from the front office to make moves this early in the season. Additionally, the trade deadline is in February so there’s no pressure to get a deal done. And there’s players who won’t be available to be traded until December and January.

Jae Crowder Talks Picking Up

With that being said, the team is likely still keeping an eye on Jae Crowder. According to Brian Windhorst of ESPN, the Phoenix Suns have been re-engaging teams in Crowder trade talks in recent days.

“In the last few days, from what I understand, the Suns have picked up their Jae Crowder conversations,” said Brian Windhorst on The Hoop Collective Podcast. “And tried to reengage on some old talks, so I am told. “Now, does that mean they will find a deal? Obviously they’ve had some impetus to do that. It was bad news when Cam Johnson got hurt, but good news he was able to have a surgery where it was a partial removal as opposed to a repair, which would have meant him being out for the year.”

It’s no secret that the Heat would love a reunion with Crowder. Crowder last played for the Heat during the 2019-2020 season after being acquired from the Memphis Grizzlies in a three-team trade. He was a key part in the Heat’s role in reaching the 2020 NBA Finals. The forward left Miami after the season to sign a three-year, $30 million deal with the Suns. Crowder could help fill the void that was left after Tucker’s departure. The Heat really need help on the frontcourt, where they are very thin at. Crowder’s not going to solve all of the Heat’s problems, but they really need someone who can space the floor and defend on the other end.

The Challenge in Acquiring Crowder

However, a pathway to a deal will be difficult. Currently, the Heat have three players they can’t move until at least January. They could trade Duncan Robinson, but Phoenix may not be interested in taking on Robinson’s contract. Robinson has three years left on his deal worth nearly $60 million. The Suns are looking for someone to fill the void with Cam Johnson out. Robinson has struggled at times to stay in the Heat’s rotation and it’s hard to envision the Suns taking a tax hit to acquire. It will most likely take a three-team deal to get a deal done.

While a pathway to a deal remains difficult, the Heat will likely keep poking around as long as the forward is available.