Latest on Suns’ Attempts to Trade Jae Crowder

The trade value of small forward Jae Crowder may have been lowered by the Suns’ decision to keep him at home, according to rival executives, via Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports.

Crowder and the Suns agreed that he would remain away from the team while a trade is pursued.

“I thought the way Phoenix played the situation was strange,” a Western Conference executive said, via Fischer. “You’re not a super deep team. You’re a contender. Doesn’t it seem like there’s some other way to resolve this other than him sitting out and hurting your depth?”

An Eastern Conference executive was equally perplexed.

“For Jae to hold out is pretty rare. It’s pretty extreme,” the exec said, via Fischer. “It’s really interesting they didn’t just play hardball with him.”

Crowder, 32, is 6-foot-6 and appeared in appeared in 67 games last season (all starts), averaging 9.4 points on 40 percent shooting, to go with 5.3 rebounds and some strong perimeter defense. His trade request came atter learning he was likely to lose his starting job to Cameron Johnson.

He has reportedly drawn interest from the Hawks, Cavaliers, Celtics, Heat and Grizzlies, among others. 

Sources have told Hoops Wire the Cavs are not currently pursuing a Crowder trade, though that could change.

Also, per Fischer, the Celtics have not entered the Crowder sweepstakes thus far, though the Suns are believed to have interest in Celtis guard Derrick White.

Meanwhile, the Suns have asked about Jazz guard Jordan Clarkson, according to Fischer. But it appears the rebuilding Jazz would want a draft pick to take Crowder.

The Heat and Hawks seem to be the most active in trying to land Crowder, according to recent reports, with the Grizzlies currently uninvolved, per Fischer.

We have more on the Heat’s interest right here and the Hawks’ interest right here.