While no trades have been consummated in the NBA yet this season, there has been no shortage of rumors and proposals swapped. One of the teams that have been scouring the market for a deal is the Phoenix Suns, who have been looking for a new home for Jae Crowder.
Crowder didn’t report to training camp after he was informed that he would have a diminished role this season with Cam Johnson stepping into the starting lineup. It was an odd decision by the Suns, who could certainly use some depth in the frontcourt.
Numerous teams have been linked to Crowder, one of them being the Atlanta Hawks. The Hawks have their own trade piece they are trying to unload in John Collins. There have been some mentions of a potential swap between the two teams, but Collins’ contract, a five-year, $125 million pact he signed in 2021, is the biggest holdup.
Is there a team that would be willing to take on Collins? Enter the Utah Jazz. According to Jake Fischer of Yahoo! Sports, they have been linked to Collins, making a potential huge three-team deal a real possibility between these franchises.
“In recent weeks, Phoenix, Atlanta and Utah had conversations about a deal that would have landed Crowder in Atlanta, Collins in Utah and potentially Jarred Vanderbilt in Phoenix.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Atlanta Hawks, Utah Jazz & Phoenix Suns Updates
The Jazz are open to trading Vanderbilt, while the Phoenix Suns have known interest in the big man. The Suns and Atlanta Hawks have talked trade iterations that would have also sent Landry Shamet to Atlanta, but those talks broke down over draft pick compensation. “
Jarred Vanderbilt is having the best season of his young career after being traded by the Minnesota Timberwolves to the Jazz as part of the Rudy Gobert blockbuster. He is receiving more opportunities than he has at any point in his career and is making the most of it. He would fill the void in the frontcourt the Suns are seeking at power forward and center.
Utah would likely require some sort of draft compensation for taking on Collins as well as he is only in the second season of his five-year contract. Despite the success that they have found this season, they are still very much in the rebuilding and asset collection stage.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Atlanta Hawks, Utah Jazz & Phoenix Suns Updates
Atlanta would be receiving another player that fits the 3-and-D profile they are looking to put around the unique skill set of Trae Young. Crowder is a versatile defender, a solid 3-point shooter and provides the team with a lot of experience as well.
