The Phoenix Suns have been shopping around for veteran forward Jae Crowder since the offseason. While the 2022-23 NBA season is well underway at this point, Crowder remains a member of the organization he will not be playing for.
Many assume the Suns will soon find a conclusion in the Crowder contest as the key date of December 15 nears. At the moment, however, there’s been no noticeable traction in Crowder’s trade talks aside from the fact that the Miami Heat have been consistently linked to the veteran.
An NBA writer, however, thinks the Sixers could benefit from being the ones to end the Crowder contest. Recently, Launderer’s report Zach Buckley has compiled a list of business ideas for several suspected suitors.
In one of the elaborate fake trades, the Sixers netted Crowder by sending in Matisse Thybulle, Georges Niang and Jaden Springer.
“The Sixers could be desperate enough for a two-way wing like Crowder to drop rotation regulars like Matisse Thybulle and Georges Niang. The fact that Philly can also sweeten the pot with Jaden Springer, a 2021 first-rounder, may also help Phoenix feel better about the value aspect of this deal.
Starting with the Sixers, Crowder would fit like a tailored suit. He would fill the same complementary and priority role in defense as PJ Tucker, only Crowder is five years younger and less hesitant to go on offense. Four spots from Philly’s closing playoff roster are obvious, but Crowder could come into the discussion for the latter.
Crowder isn’t exactly cheap in this fictional deal, which is why Buckley notes desperation as a reason the Sixers might consider him.
The name that stands out in the deal is Matisse Thybulle, as he has established himself as one of the most dominant perimeter defenders in the league. Although Thybulle is no longer the nearly untouchable prospect he once was, as his offense remains a question mark, he can still be a valuable situational player when fully healthy.
And while it’s unclear what the future holds for Jaden Springer, the Sixers don’t seem very motivated to move on from the former first-round pick as they’re intrigued by his defensive development and possible offensive ceiling.
As for Niang, he would be the player replaced by Crowder in the deal. Defensively, there’s no denying the Suns veteran is more valuable in that regard, but it should be noted that Crowder has regressed on the offensive side in recent seasons.
During the 2019-20 season, Crowder escaped three games in 20 with the Miami Heat, draining a career-high 45% in three. Since then, the three-point percentage fell to 39% in 60 games two years ago, then slipped to 35% in 67 games last year. It’s hard to bet on the idea that Crowder’s three-point shooting numbers wouldn’t continue to drop when there’s no evidence to prove otherwise right now.
Meanwhile, Niang is the Sixers’ most reliable three-point shooter right now, having drained 43% of his shots from beyond the arc in 23 games. It’s never easy to justify the replacement of a player who leads the team in this type of category.
Valid arguments can be made for reasons to make or refuse this type of deal on the Sixers’ side. But unless the Sixers feel desperate to make a sudden change, it’s unlikely they’ll be the ones to get Crowder out of Phoenix this year.
Justin Grasso covers the Philadelphia 76ers for All76ers, a Sports Illustrated channel. You can follow him for live updates on Twitter: @JGrasso_.
