San Antonio Spurs

San Antonio Spurs Receive: F/C Dario Saric, G Landry Shamet, 2023 First-Round Pick 

Phoenix Suns Receive: G/F Josh Richardson 

All the same, there’s an angle in this that may not be getting considered. Jae Crowder reportedly requested a trade because his starting spot went to Johnson. Now, that spot is available. 

If Crowder is open to retaining it, the Suns could simply give him that spot, and still upgrade their guard rotation. In that event, this would be the deal for them. 

That holds especially true considering that Richardson can function as a guard or a wing. Meanwhile, this deal has the Suns getting off of two burdensome contracts. That’s partly why they’re parting with a first-round pick – Richardson is a useful player, but that’s probably not his market value on its own. 

Meanwhile, the San Antonio Spurs may be open to taking those deals on. While they’re a surprising 5-3 to start the year, they should still be functioning as a rebuilding team.

LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Phoenix Suns & San Antonio Spurs Updates

An unprotected first-round pick should be worth more to them than either Richardson or short-term financial flexibility. 

Of course, this only works if Crowder is willing to let bygones be bygones. If his relationship with the Suns is permanently damaged, they may still have to move him.