NBA Trade: Phoenix Suns return Richaun Holmes in swap for Jae Crowder.
When the Sacramento Kings traded for Domantas Sabonis, center Richaun Holmes became somewhat obsolete in the lineup. He only suited up for eight more games during the season, averaging roughly 15 minutes per game compared to his average of 28 minutes in his 37 games prior. This was partly due to injuries, but nonetheless, Holmes became a bit redundant for the Kings.
Crowder and Holmes each offer a significant upgrade in backup minutes for their new teams. Holmes is one of the best backup centers in basketball and is already quite familiar with the Suns. He was somewhat of a fan favorite during his lone season in the Valley. Crowder, on the other hand, brings winning pedigree and defense to a team that’s desperate to contend for the Playoffs.
As Sabonis rightfully dominates minutes at the five, the Kings have insurance via Alex Len and potential small-ball five minutes from Chimezie Metu or rookie Keegan Murray. Meanwhile, the Suns, who are already slated to insert Cam Johnson into the starting five, would largely benefit from playing Holmes over 30-year-old Bismack Biyombo.
One-for-one player trades are rare, but in some cases, they can greatly benefit everyone involved. This seems like an overall win for the players and organizations alike.