The Phoenix Suns hope to turn a new leaf after some major roster changes, and so does new Milwaukee Bucks forward Jae Crowder.
Crowder didn't play a single second for the Suns all season after the two sides agreed to his absence prior to the beginning of the season. It took Phoenix up to the final day of the trade deadline to finally send him packing, but now both sides appear happy with the final outcome.
Phoenix dealt Crowder in a package that landed them Kevin Durant, and Crowder is now on a strong playoff team in Milwaukee that will utilize his talent more so than the Suns planned.
Speculation goes back and forth on what exactly happened, but the general understanding is Phoenix told Crowder that Cam Johnson (also included in the trade to Brooklyn for Durant) would start over him.
Crowder - at the ripe age of 32-years-old - also reportedly wanted a contract extension.
The two sides clearly didn't see each other as a fit moving forward, and now we've finally arrived at our resolution.
Bucks beat writer for The Athletic Eric Nehm was able to ask Crowder about his time in Phoenix. Here's what he responded with:
"I just feel like it's behind me now. We had some stuff happen internally that they asked me to keep inside, so I'm going to grant their wishes. Obviously I've been working with these guys for a trade partner for months now. I think give or take they did exactly what they said they was gonna do. Took longer than what we all expected but it got done. I'm thankful for my time in Phoenix, I'm thankful for my teammates, I'm thankful for the organization embracing me the past two years - we had a great run and we did some great things in Phoenix and we turned their culture around. So I'm happy for those guys. I wish them luck moving forward. I'm moving on to my next chapter in my career here in Milwaukee."
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