For some time in his career, Jae Crowder was among the most reliable 3-and-D guys in the league. After his stint with the Milwaukee Bucks, though, the forward now has a chance for a new NBA contract if he earns it from the Sacramento Kings.
Crowder’s tenure with the Bucks has come under scrutiny a couple of months ago as he remained unsigned ahead of the 2024-25 NBA season. Acquired in a high-profile trade during the 2023 deadline, the Bucks sent five second-round picks and several players to secure Crowder, hoping he would bolster their playoff push. However, in hindsight, this move appears to be a significant misstep.
Once a key contributor and a sought-after player, Crowder’s performance declined sharply after joining Milwaukee. In his brief stint with the Bucks, he averaged just 6.9 points and 3.8 rebounds over 18 games in the 2022-23 season, followed by an even lower output of 6.2 points and 3.2 rebounds in 50 games the following year. 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 has left fans questioning the decision. Unlike past acquisitions that made a notable impact, such as P.J. Tucker during the Bucks’ championship run, Crowder’s contribution fell flat.
While the Bucks’ front office aimed for a strategic upgrade, the outcome has proven to be a costly gamble. As each day passes without a contract for Crowder, it becomes clearer that Milwaukee could have utilized those assets more effectively elsewhere. This trade serves as a reminder of the risks involved in high-stakes moves in the NBA.
Former Milwaukee Bucks Forward Jae Crowder Gets Workout Call From Sacramento Kings
Even though Crowder is a free agent now, he still doesn’t have a team to play for ahead of the 2024-25 season. That could all change if he impresses the Kings, as explained more in a tweet shared by Sean Cunningham on X.
“According to sources, free agent forward Jae Crowder will be working out with the Sacramento Kings this week. The 34-year-old veteran was with the Bucks last season. Like last month with Isaiah Thomas, Crowder will join roster players in town seeking on-court competition,” Cunningham tweeted.
The best version of Crowder came during his time playing for the 2015-16 season. In the 73 games of that campaign, the small forward notched 14.2 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per game while playing quality defense.
It remains to be seen whether Crowder makes it to the Kings’ roster or he’ll end up somewhere else. In any case, the former Bucks forward will soon find out if there’s still a place for him in the league down the line.
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