Phoenix Suns: Ranking Hoops Habit’s 5 potential Jae Crowder trades

5. Phoenix Suns trade Jae Crowder to the Sacramento Kings for Richaun Holmes

Although bringing Holmes back to Phoenix does have some merit, it’s not a deal the Suns would likely consider. That’s not a knock on the 28-year-old big man who, as this straight swap suggests, holds similar consensus value to Crowder as a player.

Carter identified the Suns current backup bigs as the primary reason for why they’d consider a reunion with Holmes.

"“Crowder and Holmes each offer a significant upgrade in backup minutes for their new teams. Holmes is one of the best backup centers in basketball and is already quite familiar with the Suns. He was somewhat of a fan favorite during his lone season in the Valley”, he wrote."

This is correct; Holmes would be an upgrade on the likes of Bismack Biyombo, Dario Saric and Jock Landale as center options. However, it’s not enough of an upgrade when we’re talking about giving up a player in Crowder who played 30 minutes per game last season.

Phoenix would want someone who can theoretically play 20-25+ minutes in their rotation, or at least has the upside to be able to do so. With Deandre Ayton firmly cemented as the Suns starting five, Holmes would be pigeonholed as a 15 minute per game player at best.

Trading for Holmes would honestly be an indication that all isn’t right with Ayton in Phoenix, and that he himself could request a trade once eligible to do so passed January 15.