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Suns trade; Jae Crowder, Dario Saric, Jalen Smith, '24 1st (top 10 protected), '23 2nd round
Suns get; Harrison Barnes

Reason - Suns get a fairly significant upgrade to Crowder with a similar player stylistically in Barnes. It costs them the first, and the protection might need to be adjusted, but in the grand scheme of things it doesn't cost them much else (Saric is out, Smith's option got declined, the 2nd is to cover the cost difference). It saves them money this season, which I'm sure Sarver would like, but also interestingly saves them money NEXT season as well since Barnes is on a declining contract that will equal less than the Crowder+Saric combo which should help them with Ayton's extension.

Kings trade; Harrison Barnes, Alex Len
Kings get; Dario Saric, Taurean Prince, Jalen Smith, '23 2nd (from Suns), '24 1st (from Suns, top 10 protected), '25 2nd (from Wolves)

Reason - This is in the event that the Kings finally decide to blow it up, or at least get a bit younger. They clear a ton of salary from next season, take a look at Smith and snag a 1st and 2 future 2nds. Maybe this is too light for Barnes? I'm not sure.

Wolves trade; Taurean Prince, '25 2nd
Wolves get; Jae Crowder, Alex Len

Reason - Wolves jump in to get the vet Crowder that the Kings, in this scenario, wouldn't be interested in. They've been linked to him in the past and he seems like he'd be another good veteran presence in the same mold as Beverley. Len is in as salary filler (I don't know how he's doing so don't crucify me if he's become a key part of SAC's rotation) but also helps to fill a need for the Wolves who could use more big bodies to throw into games.

Thoughts?

I posted a trade where the Suns send Crowder to a 3rd team and get Barnes. So I like that concept. But I don't feel like the Wolves are adding any value for taking Crowder here. I have to think another team would send a smaller expiring and more than a 25 2nd to take Crowder. For instance for Dallas I'd even take him into a TPE so the Kings have to take no money back and I'd send more than 1 2nd 4 years out. The Bulls would surely love to have him, etc.

Crowder is the ultimate glue guy for this team. I understand Harrison Barnes is technically a better player. But Crowder is beloved by his teamates, is cheaper, and a better fit at PF imo. Suns pass.

Would have to be cam instead of crowder, and then I think the 1st is no longer necessary

Seems pretty light for Barnes. A pick 2 years out with no upside, some 2nds, and a bust. Wasn't the rumored deal Nesmith and a 1st last trade deadline? This is a pretty far cry from that.

DB43 wrote:Crowder is the ultimate glue guy for this team. I understand Harrison Barnes is technically a better player. But Crowder is beloved by his teamates, is cheaper, and a better fit at PF imo. Suns pass.

The Suns have enough leadership and Barnes was a glue guy on a title team. It’s a massive upgrade offensively.

I feel as if the Kings wanted to tear it down, they could get better than a Top 10 protected FRP, Wolves second probably won't have much value to them.

Also think Phoenix jumps on this, despite Jae being an integral part as Harrison himself is a great utility guy while also being a pretty substantial upgrade.

If McNair traded Barnes for this package the fan base would turn on him (already starting too).

I have crowder as worth more than prince and a distant 2nd. I'd do it but realistically we'd need to add.

Yeah, I wasn't sure what the value for Barnes truly was. He's good, hence the 1st, but I'm not sure he's worth 2 1sts and I don't know how to balance it out otherwise.

To explain the Wolves pick, I did that to limit the number of 2nds they have this year. We've seen it recently with both Boston and OKC where having too many picks can work against them and so when I've started looking at picks I've been looking at years where teams might be either missing a 2nd or only have their own. If that isn't an issue I imagine the Wolves would be fine with including a couple of the '22 2nds they have, but maybe Chuck is right and there's just better Crowder offers out there.

Yo gotta unprotect that pick and add another unprotected pick to get the Kings to consider trading Barnes for that package.

I prefer to just deal directly with PHX and get back Cam Johnson.

RipPizzaGuy wrote:I prefer to just deal directly with PHX and get back Cam Johnson.

If the Suns/Kings go down this road I think this is the most likely outcome. Crowder is a seasoned vet that you want on a championship contender. Barnes is an upgrade. Cam is a good player on a rookie deal, who is controlled and that could fit really well with the Kings core.

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Texas Chuck wrote:I posted a trade where the Suns send Crowder to a 3rd team and get Barnes. So I like that concept. But I don't feel like the Wolves are adding any value for taking Crowder here. I have to think another team would send a smaller expiring and more than a 25 2nd to take Crowder. For instance for Dallas I'd even take him into a TPE so the Kings have to take no money back and I'd send more than 1 2nd 4 years out. The Bulls would surely love to have him, etc.

If Barnes were available wouldn’t the T Wolves want to make a move to get him themselves?