PHOENIX – Yesterday’s moves by the Phoenix Suns have once again caused a stir as it involves a concrete reunion with a former player – none other than 2021 playoff hero Jae Crowder.

With the release of strikers Nassir Little and EJ Liddell, the squad now consists of 14 players – one notable position is still open.

The Suns could either pull off a trade or sign a top free agent for another veteran minimum salary – and one name keeps coming up: Crowder.

This rumor had been circulating for months – and Crowder added fuel to the fire when he liked a post on X/Twitter over the summer that suggested a reunion.

Crowder, 34, played two seasons for Phoenix – mostly as a starter – before being traded at the 2023 deadline following a falling out with former coach Monty Williams.

This is exactly why Crowder should return.

He’s still friends with Devin Booker. He has some experience under Mike Budenholzer. His days as a starter are behind him, so he can fully embrace a role on the bench that can still be significant. He brings another layer of space, toughness and physicality to the game. He doesn’t need the ball in large quantities to be effective – as Suns fans have seen in the past.

There are really no eye-opening downsides to being invited to a reunion with Crowder. He has at least a handful of seasons left as an impact player in the league. He was one of the main sources of positive energy during Phoenix’s historic run from 2020-22, regardless of how the tenure ended.

It is time to put this situation behind us and continue to build the squad under Budenholzer as optimally and effectively as possible in what seems to be a truly decisive season in the history of the franchise.