Heat wants Jae Crowder, but on 1 bold condition

The Miami Heat have played their best basketball of the NBA season in recent weeks. After an embarrassing loss to the Detroit Pistons at South Beach that dropped their record to 11-14, Miami has gone 9-5 and moved back up the Eastern Conference standings.

The Heat is now 20-18 and is seventh in the conference, just one game behind the Indiana Pacers for the final spot outside of the NBA Play-In Tournament. Getting into that top six should be the goal for the Heat, but that’s easier said than done.

Injuries have played a big part in their inconsistencies this season as there is not a single player on the team who has played in all 38 games this season. Max Strus is currently the highest of the team with 36 games played. Getting healthy would certainly help them in pursuit of a playoff spot.

Plus, they could use a roster upgrade, especially in the frontcourt. With Caleb Martin dealing with a quad injury, the need for a power forward could increase exponentially. It was already a weakness in the season following PJ Tucker’s off-season departure and it would be a huge blow to miss Martin for an extended period of time.

LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Jae Crowder, Phoenix Suns & Miami Heat Updates

One player who would help fill that void is former Heat forward Jae Crowder. Crowder has been on the trade market for months as he stays away from the Phoenix Suns, awaiting a trade. Unfortunately, don’t expect a trade between the Heat and Suns to happen any time soon according to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald.

“According to someone who spoke to the Heat front office, the Heat will continue to be interested in Jae Crowder, but only in a buyout situation unless Phoenix shockingly takes a bad contract out of Miami’s hands.”

Lacking draw capital or desirable assets, the Heat are a tough team to match when it comes to making trades. The Suns aren’t looking for long-term money in a deal for Crowder unless it’s in exchange for a player that will actually increase their chances of winning a championship.

LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Jae Crowder, Phoenix Suns & Miami Heat Updates

Those types of players don’t currently exist on the Heat roster as they aren’t parting with core pieces to sign Crowder. A buyout certainly remains possible for Crowder as there is no movement on the trading front. But Phoenix will wait until the very last minute to see if a trade comes along so they can maximize the value the veteran striker still has.