Jae Crowder did not really make the impact the Milwaukee Bucks expected he would when they traded for him in the middle of last season. This is why it comes as no surprise that the veteran has seen his name dragged into numerous NBA rumors. To be fair, Crowder missed a big chunk of the 2022-23 campaign during what turned out to be a lengthy standoff with the Phoenix Suns.
He eventually got his wish and was able to force his way out of Phoenix, landing in Milwaukee to team up with Giannis Antetokounmpo and Co. Crowder struggled with fitness, though, and he ended up playing just 18 games with the Bucks after his mid-season arrival. It resulted in Crowder’s lowest level of production since his sophomore year with the Dallas Mavericks.
Will The Milwaukee Bucks Re-Sign Jae Crowder?
Crowder himself admitted recently that he wasn’t entirely sure why the Bucks traded for him last season. The confusion was probably brought about by the fact that Coach Mike Budenholzer barely used him. For what it’s worth, Crowder was part of the four-team blockbuster deal centered around Kevin Durant taking his talents over to the Phoenix Suns. For their part, the Bucks had to give up George Hill, Serge Ibaka, Jordan Nwora, and five (!) future second-round picks. All they got out of that deal is Jae Crowder, which is why it is indeed a bit perplexing as to why Milwaukee gave up so much for a player that they had no intention of utilizing anyway — or at least not as much as the fans were hoping for.
“I’m very confused as to why I was brought here,” said Crowder, via HoopsHype. “I don’t know my purpose here and why I was brought here.”
The sliver of hope for Crowder and the Bucks is that there’s a new regime in town. The arrival of new head coach Adrian Griffin could prove beneficial for the 6-foot-6 wing in that it gives him a fresh start in Milwaukee. The big question, however, is if Crowder and the Bucks are able to agree on a number for a potential extension.
Atlanta Hawks Floated As A Potential Landing Spot For Jae Crowder
If the Bucks choose to pass on Crowder, then he likely won’t have a shortage of interest in the free agency market. One team that has already been identified as a possible destination for Crowder is the Atlanta Hawks, who for their part, recently parted ways with John Collins and his gargantuan contract. As Dan Favale of Bleacher Report points out, Collins’ departure opens up a frontcourt spot for Atlanta, which is a role Crowder can fill. Moreover, by dumping Collins’ massive salary to the Utah Jazz, the Hawks now have access to a more substantial mid-level exception amounting to $12.4 million — an amount that they could potentially offer to Jae Crowder.
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