'I miss him': Chris Paul give shout-out to Phoenix Suns teammate Jae Crowder

Duane Rankin, Arizona Republic
·1 min read
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Jun 9, 2021; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul (3) celebrates with forward Jae Crowder (99) against the Denver Nuggets during game two in the second round of the 2021 NBA Playoffs at Phoenix Suns Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rob Schumacher-Arizona Republic
Jun 9, 2021; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul (3) celebrates with forward Jae Crowder (99) against the Denver Nuggets during game two in the second round of the 2021 NBA Playoffs at Phoenix Suns Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rob Schumacher-Arizona Republic
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Chris Paul wasn’t the only one who arrived in Phoenix before the 2020-21 season.

So did Jae Crowder.

“I came here with Jae,” Paul said.

After Thursday’s loss to Dallas at Footprint Center, Paul was asked how much do the Suns (25-25) miss Crowder, who hasn’t played one game for the Suns this season as they’ve been trying to trade him.

The trade deadline is Feb. 9.

“Jae, 9-9, I miss him,” Paul said. “I miss him. Ain’t no secret about it. That’s one of our brothers.”

Phoenix Suns players Jae Crowder, Chris Paul have fun at Devin Booker's expense as they attend the Phoenix Mercury-Las Vegas Aces game in Tempe. Darryl Webb/Special for the Republic, AP Phoenix Suns players Jae Crowder, Chris Paul share a laugh at Devin Booker's expense as they attend the Phoenix Mercury-Las Vegas Aces game at ASU Desert Financial Arena Oct, 3, 2021 in Tempe.

Crowder and the Suns “mutually agreed” he wouldn’t attend training camp.

“Hope he good 9-9, you out there, hope you good, but it’s a business, it’s the league," Paul added. "It is what it is.”

Crowder signed as a free agent with the Suns and played a key role in Phoenix reaching the 2021 finals his first season with the team and winning a franchise-best 64 games in having the NBA’s best record last season.

“That’s my dog for life,” Paul continued. “Regardless, whatever is going on. It’s always going to be love here with me and 9-9.”'

Oct 13, 2021; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul (3) talks to forward Jae Crowder (99) during preseason NBA action against the Portland Trail Blazers at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Rob Schumacher-Arizona Republic
Oct 13, 2021; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul (3) talks to forward Jae Crowder (99) during preseason NBA action against the Portland Trail Blazers at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Rob Schumacher-Arizona Republic

Have opinion about current state of the Suns? Reach Suns Insider Duane Rankin at dmrankin@gannett.com or contact him at 480-787-1240. Follow him on Twitter at @DuaneRankin.

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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: 'I miss him': Chris Paul gives shout-out to Suns teammate Jae Crowder