Not surprisingly, the Heat are back in the mix on a potential Jae Crowder trade — just as they were before.
According to Ian Begley of SNY.tv, the Heat are among the rival teams the Suns have spoken with on Crowder, as Phoenix is reportedly trying to reengage the market.
Crowder requested a trade before the season, after losing his starting job to Cam Johnson. Since then, Johnson suffered a torn meniscus and is expected to miss a month or two. The Suns would like help, it appears, and are using Crowder as their trade chip.
Miami had Crowder on the team before and would love to have him back. But clearly not at any cost.
Per Begley, the Suns would be be seeking forward Max Strus in a deal involving Crowder, and that may be asking too much.
Begley summed it up this way:
“Per SNY sources, some with Phoenix see Miami’s Max Strus as an integral part of any return for Crowder. I’d assume that Miami would be reluctant to move Strus in a deal for Crowder.”
Along with Pat Riley and the Heat, the Bucks are also believed to be among the teams that remain interested in Crowder. Obviously, though, the market for him is not real strong. The Suns may be asking too much, and other teams want Crowder for too little.
Eventually, though, you’d assume the Suns will find common ground with someone. The Heat seem like Crowder’s most likely next destination, based on solely on gut feelings.
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