Suns discussing three-team Jae Crowder deal

Crowder as been away from the team all season, even after his replacement at power forward, Cameron Johnson, tore his meniscus last month. Until recently, the Suns had been rolling, even with Chris Paul missing 14 games with a heel injury, but have lost four straight. Perhaps that's motivating them to move Crowder now. Or, it could be that players who signed this summer can be traded starting Dec. 15.

That is a big factor for Milwaukee, who likely would have to use an offseason signee like Joe Ingles to match Crowder's salary. The Bucks have a power forward you may have heard of named Giannis Antetokounmpo, but their front court depth is lacking past Bobby Portis. Crowder would be able to slot in perfectly in lineups where Giannis plays center. Milwaukee doesn't have players Phoenix would want, at least not ones it would be willing to give up, so a third team is needed to facilitate a deal.

The Rockets have long insisted they want a first-round pick in return for Gordon.

The strange part of the rumor is the inclusion of K.J. Martin, who has become a crucial rotation player in his third NBA season. Martin is only 22 and he's played the 5th-most minutes on the team. Why would Houston trade him? Perhaps because it's roster has 10 players 22 and younger.

It could also be Martin's unique contract situation. The Rockets can pick up his minimum-salary option for 2023-24, but he would become an unrestricted free agent afterward. So there's pressure to either trade him or give him an extension before that happens.

Whatever the deal, expect the Rockets to be active in trades in the upcoming months. They're 8-18 and clearly aiming for another high draft pick. But this will be the last tanking year, because from 2024-26, the Oklahoma City Thunder control the Rockets' first-round pick thanks to the Russell Westbrook-Chris Paul trade.

There's still nearly two months until the trade deadline. But if the Suns keep losing, they won't want to wait until February to get something for Crowder.