NBA GM Rips Phoenix Suns PF Jae Crowder for Sitting Out

The Phoenix Suns have yet to see Jae Crowder on the court this season.

That was planned, as a “mutual absence” was agreed upon while the team sought a trade partner for the facility forward.

Crowder – who was reportedly shopped over the summer – was told his starting spot can be taken by Cam Johnson.

Things get fuzzy from there. Apparently the team told him he would not be playing significant minutes and Crowder didn’t like that. Yet he’s been fairly vocal on social media when it comes to making his opinion heard.

That was again the case on Saturday.

Crowder’s tweet was likely in response to an anonymous NBA GM that ripped him for sitting out:

“He just didn’t show up,” one anonymous GM general manager told Heavy.com‘s Steve Bulpett.

“He said he is not playing unless he gets a contract extension that he wants. I believe plenty of teams are turned off by that in and of itself. Like, ‘What? You don’t need to play for top-of-the-line teams within the NBA and PROVE that you just’re price it so you may get a contract next 12 months?

“Like, you are not that good, bro. What are you doing?’ It is a weird dynamic. It’s one thing if Kevin Durant’s holding out because he is not getting paid enough, but Jae Crowder? Seriously?”

Crowder, on the last 12 months of his deal, could potentially provide a contending team with a three-and-D presence. He may be used as a salary dump for a team trying to clear cap space in the longer term.

Phoenix has reportedly been engaged in three-team deals that involve Crowder and most recently rejected a trade from the Washington Wizards.

The Suns are currently 19-14 heading into their Christmas Day matchup with the Denver Nuggets.