With the Miami Heat holding firm up until this point, there are still guys out there who can help them. While typically “out there” means around the league on some other roster or playing basketball in some other fashion, either in another league or the NBA’s lower leveled G-League, this time really means “out there”.
Having not played a game this season in the NBA for the Phoenix Suns, the team that currently holds his contract, Jae Crowder remains in neutral.
With no movement on the front to speak of, he remains out there as a coveted piece by several of the league’s hopeful contenders, one would imagine.
And among that group is, assumingly, the Miami Heat. Averaging 9.4 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 1.9 assists last season for the Suns across 67 games played, he would do so while shooting just under 35 percent from three on 5.4 attempts per game.
Though his numbers weren’t as high or as efficient as they have been at points across his career, specifically during his previous stint with the Miami Heat where he shot nearly 45 percent from three on about 6.5 attempts per game, he can still certainly help them.
The Miami Heat may look to make a move sooner than later but don’t expect them to be impatient. The Jae Crowder scenario is one vivid example of such.
And apparently, he’s ready to help somebody—as in, he thinks it’s “time”. Here is one of his latest posts to one of his social media accounts.
⏳🕰⌛️
— JAE CROWDER (@CJC9BOSS) January 23, 2023
And that’s not all it’s about when it comes to “time” and Crowder’s future. Specifically for a team like the Miami Heat, one without the many assets that others are able to hoard due to not contending year after year, waiting it out has been beneficial.
As Crowder’s current team, the Suns, believed they would remain among the top competitors for the title this season, they deemed his price to be high enough to bring back another piece to help them along that mission.
Well, as the season has progressed, injury has hit them hard, and they have struggled a bit in the standings—perhaps there is room to spare in that notion. One, they may not be as hot of contenders as they thought, lowering the price as it isn’t a championship-type piece they are seeking anymore.
Secondly though and to the other side of that point, desperate to try and get back there but already having ruined that relationship with Crowder, they may do the deal to get something back that can help them win now—anything.
Either way you look it at though and especially from the Miami Heat’s perspective, this whole Jae Crowder scenario has always been about time. And only that will tell where he actually eventually lands.