With all that’s going on with the Phoenix Suns, I don’t blame any players that may want to get away from the organization. There have been talks regarding a few players looking towards playing for different franchises, and on Sunday, Shams Charania of The Athletic reported that the Suns and Jae Crowder are working towards a trade. He has some qualities that the New York Knicks should want.
Along with Crowder, Devin Booker has been in rumors and who knows if Chris Paul will want to stay even after Robert Sarver sells the team. This is something that the Knicks’ front office might want to get a jump on.
The Phoenix Suns and Jae Crowder have mutually agreed that the veteran forward will not participate in training camp as the sides work on a trade, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) September 25, 2022
4 reasons why the New York Knicks should trade for Suns’ Jae Crowder
4. Toughness
Jae Crowder is just one of those ‘put your head down and get work done’ type of guys. He shows up to work and takes pride in what he brings to the table.
Although he is only six-foot-six, Crowder bangs down low like he is six-foot-10. He brings energy and attitude every night. With Phoenix, Chris Paul and Devin Booker stand behind the veteran. Every team he has gone to, he has been the big bully.
In his rookie season with the Dallas Mavericks, after starting forwards Dirk Nowitzki and Shawn Marion were out with injuries, Crowder stepped into the starting lineup. He was the force on the team during that time.
After being traded to the Boston Celtics, Crowder became the protector on the team as Brad Stevens inserted him into the starting lineup. He also displayed his force in Cleveland, Utah, Memphis, and Miami. You need players like this — a guy that is not afraid to get physical with his opponents.
The Knicks are a fit for a player like Crowder. Everyone knows that New York is gritty, hard, and strong!
3. 3 & D
Hitting three-point shots and playing stiff defense is what Crowder is known for. Ever since he came into the league, that has been his strong suit. You can find Crowder in the corner spotting up for a three or locked in on the defensive end against the opposing team’s best player.
When he was with Boston, he was tasked with defending LeBron James, and he frustrated the King on multiple occasions. That was not the only time that he has been matched up with The Chosen One.
In the 2020 NBA Finals, the Los Angeles Lakers faced the Miami Heat, and Crowder was on the Heat. He was tasked with taking on LeBron again for six games, in which the Lakers won their 18th championship.
These two once again faced off in the playoffs when the Lakers went up against the Suns in 2021. You may recall Crowder mocking LeBron with a salsa dance after eliminating them from the postseason. As you can see, Crowder doesn’t back down from anyone on the defensive end and he is always up for a challenge.
This past season, in Game 4 of the Western Conference Semifinals against the Dallas Mavericks, Crowder was banged up early in the game and headed to the locker room. He returned to action and knocked down a few three-pointers all while guarding Luka Doncic on the other end and forcing him to take bad shots. Without Crowder, the game would’ve gotten out of hand. The Knicks are in need of this specialty.
2. Veteran
Crowder is entering his 11th NBA season, and it’s hard to play in this game for that long. He must have something that GMs are looking for. One thing Crowder can brag about is that he has only missed the postseason once in his career. Not too many players can say that.
Crowder is absolutely a difference maker in a locker room. His experiences with different teams and taste of success is what coaches and front offices want on their roster. The 32-year-old forward has been an important piece to the Phoenix Suns as he helped them reach the 2021 NBA Finals.
The Knicks can benefit from having Crowder on their roster simply because of his experience. He has been to a Conference Finals and an NBA Finals, multiple times at that! He’s the kind of player that can put you over the top. As he has proved on other teams that he has been on, if you have Jae Crowder on your roster, you’re a contender.
1. Flexibility
In his 10-year career, Jae Crowder has been on seven different teams. From 2017-2020, he suited up for six different franchises, but that didn’t seem to faze Crowder. When his number is called upon, he is ready to produce. His flexibility is commended as he just goes out there and plays to his strengths.
Somehow, someway he always finds himself in the starting lineup. Crowder can easily become the glue to any locker room. Rick Carlisle coached Crowder while he was in Dallas and has nothing but praise for the veteran. Carlisle was big on Crowder’s motor, energy, and maturity, which are all keys to succeed in this professional sport. Carlisle also assured that Crowder will fit in on any team in the NBA.
If the Knicks can trade for Crowder, they should do it. I don’t believe that he will come at a high price, either. New York sure could use every bit of Crowder’s toughness, experience, and flexibility.
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