Are the Phoenix Suns overvaluing Jae Crowder in trade talks?

So are the Phoenix Suns over valuing Jae Crowder in trade talks?

The short answer is no.

Phoenix will be parting ways with a valuable playoff contributor, so it stands to reason that they should receive the value of one in return. The issue, however, is two-fold:

First, as mentioned earlier, the Suns are not in a position of bargaining strength since Crowder is holding out. Some would say this mean Crowder holds no value, but it’s important to distinguish “no leverage” — which is what the Suns have — and “no value.” Moreover, there are still other, more significant, challenging factors.

There’s the not-so-small matter that a “playoff player” for “playoff player” swap is not always as simple as it sounds. This is mostly the case because if a team is looking for a playoff contributor, it’s not often they have the luxury of trading away a playoff contributor — much less the desire to do so.

What the Suns do have working for them is the potential for a small bidding war. So far, the Milwaukee Bucks, Miami Heat, and the Cleveland Cavaliers have been listed as potential suitors. If one or two more teams enter the fray, that obviously bodes well for Phoenix.

Focusing on the teams linked to Crowder, there is a pathway to a deal depending on what the Suns seek. From Milwaukee, it was reported back in November that the team was shopping Grayson Allen in trade talks — this, of course, while the Jae Crowder discussions were occurring. For a time, it seemed the Bucks were moving towards a deal, but those talks have since cooled down.

If Allen was of interest to Phoenix, it’s like a deal would have been agreed upon already. Since that has not happened, it seems clear that the Suns prefer other compensation. Phoenix has been rumored to have interest in either a power forward or a ball-handling guard. One more report from Jake Fisher suggests that a three-team trade could be the solution.

As for Miami, their top trade asset (Tyler Herro is rightfully untouchable unless a star is involved) is forward Caleb Martin, according to one Eastern Conference executive (via Heavy Sports’ Sam Deveney). Martin’s value stems from his versatility and team-friendly contract. Could the Suns have interest in Martin? Certainly. They also could do what they can to add a player like Gabe Vincent to the deal or, as mentioned with Milwaukee, pursue a three-team deal.

If teams call the Suns’ bluff,’ expecting either a buyout or being satisfied pursuing Crowder in the offseason, that’s where the true danger lies. As the deadline approaches, the Suns are wise to maintain their demands. They will, however, have to be wise in their decision-making as the time grows closer, perhaps even willing to accept draft compensation in lieu of a “playoff player” should the situation call for it.