The Phoenix Suns are a week removed from the league's Feb. 9 trade deadline, and power forward Jae Crowder has yet to be officially moved.
Rumors are again swirling at record pace as the Suns try and find a trade partner. The Milwaukee Bucks recently received permission to speak with Crowder (assuming on a potential new contract) but nothing has officially materialized.
Yet something will soon come to light, and if not - the Suns will likely have to reach a buyout with Crowder so the two can officially part ways.
Hopefully Phoenix can at least snatch something for Crowder - and ESPN has two trade ideas on how the Suns can do just that.
Trade 1: Seth Curry to Phoenix
Brooklyn Nets receive: Jae Crowder
Phoenix Suns receive: Seth Curry, Kessler Edwards, two second-round picks
"Brooklyn can at least give Phoenix a good player in Seth Curry, who can space the floor around Devin Booker and play off the ball. Curry's contract is up after this season and Edwards has a team option for 2023-24, which, along with the extra second-round picks, would leave Phoenix with more options in the future as Mat Ishbia gets set to take over as owner," said Tim Bontemps.
"The Nets, meanwhile, need another rugged forward to be able to throw out there in playoff games. Brooklyn can't win a size battle with, say, Joel Embiid. Instead, the Nets need to lean into what they are and put more length, quickness and switchable defenders alongside Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving. Crowder, in theory, can provide that. And if the Nets add Crowder, Curry becomes even less likely to be part of a closing lineup in a playoff game in Brooklyn."
Trade 2: Patrick Beverley to Phoenix
Phoenix Suns receive: Patrick Beverley, Wenyen Gabriel and Juan Toscano-Anderson
Los Angeles Lakers receive: Jae Crowder and Cameron Payne
"Gabriel and Toscano-Anderson are long, athletic wing/forward types who have shown they can contribute as rotation role players. With the way that injuries have rocked the Suns this season, healthy role players in the frontcourt provide tangible value as well for a team that still has postseason aspirations," said Andre Snellings.
"Beverley is redundant on the Lakers, with both Westbrook and Dennis Schroder playing well and LeBron James as the de facto point guard. Their well-documented need is shooting, and Crowder would immediately fill the glue guy/3-and-D forward role that he has perfected in recent seasons. Crowder has knocked down two 3-pointers per game on average in his past five seasons. When healthy, Payne would also give them 3-point shooting as a backup perimeter guard, and with the Lakers' salary-cap situation, having him signed for an additional two seasons after this one would be a plus for them."
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