The Phoenix Suns owe veteran Jamal Crawford a trade

The Phoenix Suns are in the middle of an ugly season. With the trade deadline almost here, the team needs to send Jamal Crawford to a playoff team.

In mid-October, Jamal Crawford signed a one year deal to play for the Phoenix Suns this season. To me, it was a surprising move as he’s near the end of his career and I would have expected him to sign with a contender. Inking on with a team that was bad enough last season to get the number one pick was not what one would have expected from a player ready to retire soon.

He has provided the needed veteran leadership that this young team needs and has been the best vet out of any that were on the team when the season kicked off. Trevor Ariza requested a trade, Tyson Chandler was bought out and went to the Lakers and Ryan Anderson‘s time here can be considered at best a major disappointment.

However, Crawford has shown he has some game left. He can still hit that mid range shot with the best of them. His passing is maybe at one of the best levels it’s ever been. His leadership has been on full display as he’s taught the young players the essentials needed for development and to make it in this league. Any one watching the games can see him on the sidelines talking to the youth and letting them know how they can improve on even the little things. It’s been great to see and one couldn’t ask for much more than what he’s done as a Sun.

All of the above are reasons why Phoenix owes him a trade, to a solid playoff team. He isn’t the type of guy that would ask for one but he deserves it. Again, he’s very close to retirement and he shouldn’t waste his last or one of his last seasons on a team that is a bottom feeder. He should spend it on a team that could use his game, add him as depth and make some noise in the post season.

He’s struggled a bit with his shot but he’s averaged about 6 points and 3 assists in about 18 minutes per game. That’s on a team that has relied on him a lot more than a winning team would need to and he’d do even better in that situation. The Suns aren’t going to get much for him but maybe a young player that hasn’t done much yet or an expiring contract and a second round pick. There are teams that would be willing to give that up for a player with Crawford’s history. If they can’t find a deal, they should waive him so that he can be free to sign for one of those teams.

Phoenix needs to pick up the phone, call contenders and send him to one. After all he’s done for this young team without complaining at all, he deserves it.