Milwaukee Bucks Engaged Suns In Jae Crowder Trade Talks
A few different Eastern Conference contenders have been linked to trade interest in Jae Crowder of the Phoenix Suns. Now, we can add the Milwaukee Bucks to that list too.
The Bucks and Suns recently engaged in trade talks surrounding the veteran forward. The Atlanta Hawks, Miami Heat and Boston Celtics have all been mentioned as potential landing spots for Crowder too. For now, Crowder remains away from the Suns, as Phoenix works on finding a trade partner.
Milwaukee has a few different trade avenues to land the 3&D combo forward. Most would involve the Bucks parting with at least one rotation player, but Crowder could give them the defense and floor spacing they’ve lacked at the forward spot since losing P.J. Tucker in free agency before last season.
Crowder would’ve been especially helpful on the defensive side of the floor against Boston. The Bucks, simply put, did not have the defensive firepower to match up with Boston’s great offensive talent. Not having Middleton likely played a large part in that. Still, it wouldn’t hurt to add Crowder as another well-respected defender to play against teams like Boston, with multiple perimeter-scoring threats.
Milwaukee Bucks Engaged Suns In Jae Crowder Trade Talks
Crowder’s ability to defend all positions makes him essential to a team. Since Crowder can guard any spot at all levels, it allows the Bucks to get more creative with their lineups. Mike Budenholzer will occasionally use lineups with Giannis Antetokounmpo at the center spot. Crowder would make that lineup much easier to navigate because he could play anywhere on the floor and guard the four if needed.
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The only downside, if any, would be that the team would likely need to part ways with Grayson Allen if they were to make a move for Crowder. Being a career 34.6 percent three-point shooter, Crowder would be a downgrade from Allen offensively, who is one of their best perimeter threats. For what he would bring defensively, the Bucks are probably willing to live with Crowder’s shooting not being elite, though still suitable for a player of his role.
Crowder is familiar with Milwaukee, having played his college basketball at Marquette. One thing about the state of Wisconsin is that they love their own, so it’s almost sure that Crowder would be welcomed with open arms and loved by the fans.
Acquiring Crowder would be a brilliant move for the Bucks. Last season’s loss to Boston showed why the Bucks need a player similar to Crowder. If the team makes a move for Crowder or a similar player to him, they could find themselves right back in championship contention this season.
