How Robert Sarver Still Controls (Some) Suns Trade Moves

The Phoenix Suns are heavily active in the trade market in an attempt to rid themselves of Jae Crowder. However, Robert Sarver still has some control according to a recent report from ESPN.

After reports of Mat Ishbia purchasing the Phoenix Suns for a record $4 billion surfaced, there was hope that Robert Sarver's name (and impact on the team) would evaporate. 

Yet that hasn't quite been the case, as Sarver is still capable of approving/denying certain trades the Suns are able to make according to a report from ESPN's Brian Windhorst. 

"Current owner Robert Sarver is suspended, selling the team and, even though he's barred from communicating with anyone, still in control of any trades that surpass a certain agreed-upon dollar amount," Windhorst said.

"Acting governor Sam Garvin is in charge of the day-to-day and said he has a sign-off on trades, but only to a certain point. And Mat Ishbia has an agreement to buy the team and is preparing for a midseason takeover, but it's not expected he will be through the vetting process before the Feb. 9 trade deadline."

The Suns have been trying to offload Jae Crowder for months now with no success. Could this have played an active part in Crowder still being on Phoenix's roster? 

"Sarver still has to give personal sign-off on any deal for a player with a salary that is more than the current 'average player salary,' multiple league sources confirmed to ESPN. This would include any luxury tax payments, which the Suns are currently projected to pay," said Windhorst.

"The current average player salary is $10.8 million. Crowder's salary is $10.2 million. And the Suns, according to sources, have had talks about various multiplayer trades over the past few months that would all likely have to end up on Sarver's desk." 

Sarver is still in the picture as we approach the one-month mark until the trade deadline. Nobody knows if the Suns will be able to fully complete the ownership sale within that time period, as Sam Garvin is still the acting governor but only has so much say/power.

"That means the team might still be in this limbo in early February. But if Ishbia is nearing the finish line of getting control, his influence might loom larger than other ownership voices," said Windhorst.

"This all doesn't mean the team can't or won't make a trade in the short-term. The team started the season 15-6 despite a heel injury to star point guard Chris Paul. But they are just 5-12 since, as injuries to Devin Booker, Cameron Johnson and Cameron Payne have zapped their momentum while Crowder remains away from the team waiting to be moved.

"Anything Phoenix does seems like it could take quite a process."

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