Are the Milwaukee Bucks looking to get Marquette alum Jae Crowder? And are the Bucks willing to trade a first round pick to get Crowder from the Suns? It would likely take a pick and maybe Grayson Allen, but that could be a price worth paying. He has one year remaining on his three-year $29 million deal he signed with the Suns back in 2022. However, a rent-a-player move for a defender like Crowder could have a PJ Tucker-like effect for the Bucks.
Jae Crowder to the Bucks Would Be a Kind of Homecoming
A trade to Milwaukee would be a homecoming for Crowder. He played college ball at Marquette where he averaged 14.6 points per game and was shooting 49.2% from the field and 35% from three. His best season was the 2011-2012 season. That year, his sophomore season, Crowder averaged 17.5 points, 8.4 rebounds, 2.5 steals, 1.0 blocks, and 2.1 assists per game.
Crowder declared for the NBA Draft after the season ended. He was drafted in the second round (34th overall pick) by the Cleveland Cavilers. A day after the draft, the Cavs traded him to the Dallas Mavericks. In 10 NBA seasons, Crowder has spent time with the Mavericks, Boston Celtics, Cavs, Utah Jazz, Memphis Grizzlies, Miami Heat, and Phoenix Suns.
Crowder has gone to the finals two times with previous his teams. He first went with the Heat 2020 and with the Suns in 2021.
What Jae Crowder Can Bring to the Bucks
Above all, Crowder can bring his defensive skills to the Bucks defense. For his career, he has shot 35% from three and 41% from the field overall. Will he get playing time over Jordan Nwora, who is currently averaging 54.5% from the field and 60% from three? Nwora has higher career shooting percentages, but does he really impact the Bucks? Crowder could pick up the defense that Nwora lacks and add insurance to the team when Nwora is not producing or developing as the season goes on.
When it comes down to crunch time who will fans want to see on the court: Nwora or Crowder? Overall, I would say that Crowder will better be able to produce more offensive and defensively than Nwora. He could also bring the intensity that PJ Tucker brought to the Bucks that pushed them over the hump to contending for a title.
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