Phoenix Suns

Rival GM says he wouldn’t want Jae Crowder on his team: ‘That’s not a team player’

Published by
Jonathan Sherman

Over the past few days, reports have indicated that Phoenix Suns forward Jae Crowder could soon be on the move.

Crowder will not take part in the Suns’ training camp this month, and he reportedly requested a trade as a result of the team telling him he had a chance of losing his starting spot this season.

According to one anonymous executive, teams around the league should be wary of trading for the veteran.

The general manager started with the positives.

“He’s a nice player, a veteran who has won, someone who can help you in that (3-and-D) aspect,” the general manager told Hoops Wire.

However, that’s where the praise came to an end.

“But I’d be real hesitant to get a guy who wants traded simply because he was told he’d have to earn his starting spot,” the general manager continued. “That’s not a team player.”

While the general manager may have a solid point about not wanting to acquire players who don’t have team-first mentalities, there is no real indication that Crowder is that type of player. If he believes that he should start and wants a new deal, there’s nothing wrong with him requesting a trade.

So far, it seems like the market for Crowder is quite healthy. The Cleveland Cavaliers have already reportedly expressed interest. If the Cavs were to acquire Crowder, he would certainly compete for the starting small forward spot.

With the Cavs, he’d likely be tasked with contributing primarily on the defensive side of the ball. However, that’s not to say he doesn’t have capabilities on the offensive side of the ball as well.

Last season, he averaged 9.4 points and 5.3 rebounds per game. However, his shooting percentages of 39.9 percent from the field and 34.8 from deep could certainly improve.

Regardless of what kind of player Crowder may or may not be, there are a lot of teams around the league that would be interested in his skill set. Only time will tell how long it takes for Crowder to actually get traded.

It would not be much of a shock if he were moved prior to the start of the 2022-23 regular season.

Jonathan Sherman

Jonathan has worked as a sports writer covering NBA and NFL news since 2017. He's a fan of the Los Angeles Lakers and Minnesota Vikings.

Published by
Jonathan Sherman

Recent Posts

Stephen A. Smith says he’s featured in fake video circulating social media: ‘We are living in dangerous times’

According to Stephen A. Smith of ESPN, there's a fake video — which may be…

1 hour ago

Stephen A. Smith’s ESPN colleague scolds him for using ‘barbershop hearsay’ on Steph Curry

ESPN's Stephen A. Smith recently relayed a controversial take that an anonymous Hall of Famer…

1 hour ago

Hall of Famer claims Steph Curry would’ve averaged 17 PPG or less in his era: ‘We would’ve hurt him’

An anonymous Hall of Famer allegedly told ESPN's Stephen A. Smith that if Golden State…

1 day ago

Report: NBA GM believed Grizzlies would have had to shop Ja Morant this summer before they fired Taylor Jenkins

Earlier on in the year, long before the Memphis Grizzlies dismissed Taylor Jenkins after he…

2 days ago

Ja Morant opens up about Grizzlies firing Taylor Jenkins: ‘It’s tough for me’

Guard Ja Morant suited up for the first time since the Memphis Grizzlies fired Taylor…

3 days ago

Tyrese Haliburton on ‘easy decision’ to name SGA MVP: ‘If you took a player poll, I’m sure he would win’

Oklahoma City Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has a compelling case to win this season's MVP…

4 days ago