Jae Crowder trade speculation for Phoenix Suns heats up as 2022 NBA free agency nears

A lot of Phoenix Suns trade speculation has centered around Deandre Ayton as 2022 NBA free agency begins.

But another Suns player's name is beginning to swirl in NBA trade rumors and chatter: Jae Crowder.

Several NBA writers and sites have speculated about Crowder's future with the team, thinking that Phoenix could potentially move the forward to free up some cap space.

Check out some of the latest speculation surrounding Crowder and his future with the Suns.

2022 NBA free agent rankings:

• Top point guards | Top shooting guards | Top centers

• Top small forwards | Top power forwards | Top overall

More: Phoenix Suns 2022 NBA free agency live updates: Speculation, rumors, news, trade reports

Heavy.com: Jae Crowder is 'gettable' in a trade with the Suns

Sean Deveney reported that an NBA executive said that Crowder could be available because the Suns might look to shed salary and the veteran, who is almost 32, could be on the decline.

"He is a guy who, to me, makes the most sense for them because he has that toughness they want," the executive told Deveney.  "He has been in the Finals, he has played deep in the playoffs for a lot of years and they could use another big guy to stretch the floor. And Ime loves a tough guy, that is the kind of player he was. The Suns are looking to dump some money and he is in the last year of his deal. It is not a huge commitment for them if he does not work out. But he did not shoot it well last year and he is a step slower so you’ve got to be aware of that. But, you know, they’ve got to find a veteran who has just that little bit more left to give, who fits what Ime wants."

More: Deandre Ayton 2022 NBA free agency predictions: Where will Phoenix Suns center end up?

Bleacher Report: Suns have called rivals to measure Jae Crowder's value on trade market

Jake Fischer writes: "Phoenix has called rivals to measure Jae Crowder’s value on the trade market, sources said, while the Suns have been linked once again to Eric Gordon. Phoenix held discussions with Houston to acquire Gordon, a former teammate of Chris Paul with the Rockets, back at February’s trade deadline."

NBC Sports: Jae Crowder wouldn't be a bad trade option for Celtics

Nick Goss writes: "The 31-year-old veteran still has value as an experienced, hard-nosed player who holds teammates accountable. His offensive impact is not what it was a few years ago, but he averaged a respectable 9.4 points and 5.3 rebounds per game for the Suns last season. Crowder also shot 34.8 percent from 3-point range. The Celtics should probably aim a bit higher than Crowder in regards to the $17.1 million TPE. Someone with a little more scoring ability would be preferable. But Crowder isn't a bad second- or third-tier option for a team like the C's with very little or no salary cap room."

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Barstool Sports: Jae Crowder makes some sense for Celtics

It writes: "From a scheme perspective, Crowder does fit how the Celts play. He's a versatile defender who can play the 3-4 spot in certain lineups, and he has the ability to knock down threes. He shot 34.8% this past season and 38.9% in 2020-21 after shooting 44.5% with the Heat in the bubble. I think at this point he's probably closer to the 34.8% than something close to the 40s, but we're talking about a reserve wing. Being league average from three is fine as long as you also provide some help in terms of defensive versatility."

South Florida Sun-Sentinel: Heat could look to trade for Jae Crowder

Ira Winderman writes: "Should the Heat lose out on Tucker, the team, according to an NBA source, is considering either a trade for former Heat power forward Jae Crowder, who is entering the final year of a contract that pays $10.2 million next season with the Phoenix Suns, or a possible free-agent move for Indiana Pacers forward T.J. Warren. Those, however, only would be fallback positions if current Heat teammates are unable to convince Tucker to stay."

More: Phoenix Suns address Deandre Ayton, Devin Booker now, Cam Johnson soon after

Heat Nation: Jae Crowder would be solid option for Heat

Peter Dewey writes: "There’s no doubt that he would be a solid replacement for Tucker, but it’s unclear what Miami would have to give up to acquire Crowder from the Suns. …  The Heat are looking to improve their roster after falling short of the NBA Finals in the 2021-22 season. Losing Tucker would certainly be a step back, but the team could help mitigate the damage by adding Crowder or even Warren to the mix for the 2022-23 season."

NBA's highest paid players in 2021-22 season:

• Top 25 overall | Point guards | Shooting guards

• Small forwards | Power forwards | Centers

Bleacher Report: Heat should attempt to bring back Jae Crowder

Jake Rill writes: "Whether it's the best possible choice for Miami would depend on what it would have to give up. But replacing Tucker with Crowder is something that should keep the Heat's lineup among the best in the league and perhaps even give them an upgrade in certain areas. It's something Miami needs to consider. And if Tucker doesn't re-sign—which is quite possible, as Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer reported Tucker has plans to sign with the Philadelphia 76ers—then the Heat should be more aggressive in their potential pursuit of Crowder."

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Reach Jeremy Cluff at jeremy.cluff@arizonarepublic.com. Follow him on Twitter @Jeremy_Cluff.

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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Phoenix Suns' Jae Crowder trade speculation heats up NBA free agency