NBA executive asserts Jae Crowder lingering over contract issues has teams losing interest in him: "It’s one thing if Kevin Durant’s holding out”

Jae Crowder has not played at all this season, and one NBA executive believes that is causing teams to lose interest in him. Crowder was a role player for the Phoenix Suns last season, and he and the team could not agree on a long-term deal. The veteran forward has chosen to sit out until the team trades him.

"It’s one thing if Kevin Durant’s holding out,” an NBA executive said.

Crowder could be hurting his chances of moving on by not playing. The holdout is usually not a strategy of a role player. It also doesn’t help that the Phoenix Suns are 19-13 and in fourth place in the Western Conference without Crowder ever touching the floor. A team is unlikely to trade for a player who isn’t on the court showing his value.

With Crowder in the final year of his contract, teams are not enticed to use assets for a player they could get as a free agent in the offseason. Crowder averaged 9.4 and 5.3 rebounds per game last season. Those numbers are on par with his career averages of 9.4 ppg and 4.3 rpg. After 10 years in the NBA, he is who he is going to be. This is not a young player with a huge upside.

There may be some player movement as teams get closer to the February trade deadline as some of the contenders will be looking to upgrade their roster depth. Crowder is an experienced player who could fill a role as a 3-and-D player, but who will be willing to take a chance on someone who isn’t playing?

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Who is likely to trade for Jae Crowder?

If Jae Crowder gets moved, it will probably be to a contender who wants to make a deep playoff run or a team trying to clear some cap space. With his expiring contract, it might be attractive to a team trying to make a big free-agent signing this summer. It is reported that the Suns rejected a proposed trade with the Washington Wizards for a package that included Rui Hachimura.

The Phoenix organization may be more open to trade talks once the new ownership takes over. The team reportedly has recently agreed to be sold, and that maybe a reason it hasn’t made any recent roster moves. Contract talks could also reopen with Crowder, a second-round pick who has played for seven teams already, if the new regime sees value in the player.