For a portion of his career, Jae Crowder was one of the most reliable 3-and-D players in the league. However, after his time with the Milwaukee Bucks, the forward now has a chance at a up-to-date NBA contract if he lands one from the Sacramento Kings.
A few months ago, the Crowder case in Bucks came under scrutiny remained unsigned ahead of the 2024–25 NBA season. Acquired in a high-profile trade at the 2023 deadline, the Bucks sent five second-round picks and several players to secure Crowder, hoping he would bolster their playoff offense. However, in retrospect, such a move seems to have been a stern mistake.
Once a key contributor and sought-after player, Crowder’s numbers plummeted after joining Milwaukee. In his miniature career with the Bucks, he averaged just 6.9 points and 3.8 rebounds in 18 games during the 2022-2023 season, and a year later he averaged even lower numbers of 6.2 points and 3.2 rebounds in 50 games. His postseason statistics were particularly disappointing, averaging only 2.0 points and 1.3 rebounds.
Given his struggles, it’s not surprising that Crowder remains a free agent as the season approaches. The Bucks’ investment in him seemed promising at the time, but the lack of production had fans questioning the decision. Unlike previous acquisitions that made a significant impact, such as P.J. Tucker during the Bucks’ championship run, Crowder’s contributions remained unchanged.
While Bucks management’s goal was strategic modernization, the result turned out to be a costly endeavor. With each passing day without a contract, it becomes clear to Crowder that Milwaukee could have used these assets more effectively elsewhere. This trade is a reminder of the risks associated with high-stakes moves in the NBA.
Former Milwaukee Bucks forward Jae Crowder receives a call from the Sacramento Kings about training
Even though Crowder is currently a free agent, he still doesn’t have a team to play for before the 2024-25 season. That could all change if he impresses with the Kings, as explained further in a tweet shared by Sean Cunningham on X.
“According to sources, free forward Jae Crowder will practice with the Sacramento Kings this week. The 34-year-old veteran played for the Bucks last season. Much like Isaiah Thomas did last month, Crowder will join the city’s players looking to compete on the court. Cunningham wrote on Twitter.
The best version of Crowder came while he was playing for the 2015-16 season. In 73 games this campaign, the diminutive forward averaged 14.2 points, 5.1 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game while playing robust defense.
Time will tell whether Crowder makes the Kings roster or goes elsewhere. Either way, the former Bucks forward will soon find out if there’s still a place for him in the league in the long run.
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