"LEAVE ME OUT OF IT": Jae Crowder takes grave offense at reports claiming he was banished by Suns last season
Jae Crowder lashed out at a report associating his name with the word 'banishment.' The rumor was about LA Clippers forward Marcus Morris Sr. and his future with the franchise. NBA insider Law Murray cited the report stating Crowder's situation with the Suns.
“Until Morris is moved or declared replaced, he is at the top of the depth chart," wrote Murray. "Don’t expect a banishment similar to how Phoenix handled Jae Crowder last season."
Last season, the Suns didn't play Crowder until they found a new home for him. He eventually moved as part of a four-team trade to the Milwaukee Bucks at the February 9 deadline. The Suns kept the two-time NBA finalist away from the team until his departure.
Several rumors stated that Crowder sought a move after he got pushed out of the starting lineup. However, he debunked those reports during an interview with NBA insider Chris Haynes', saying:
"Honestly, this is unfamiliar ground for me. This is my 11th year and I’ve always been in camp and started the year off with my team. The business of basketball has taken its course and changes have come.
"I do not want to get into the details just yet, but it’s definitely not true of the narrative being pushed about me starting or not. I can honestly say that. I had two great years with my teammates and the fans of Phoenix. I do not take that for granted. I’m forever grateful for the moments we shared."
It was the first time Crowder underwent such a situation, and he obviously doesn't agree with the notion about the end of his tenure with the Suns. He expressed his frustration about the report of him being 'banished' from the Suns linked to rumors about Marcus Morris Sr., saying (via X, formerly known as Twitter):
"AYE MAN JAE CROWDER HAS NOTHING TO DO WTIH NOTHING… ESPECIALLY WHEN USING THE WORD BANISHMENT ATTACHED TO MY NAME! LEAVE ME OUT OF IT AND CHECK BALL IN A FEW WEEKS.!"
Jae Crowder's reputation has taken a hit since controversial end to Suns' tenure
Jae Crowder's situation with the Suns has hampered his market value. The reports circling about his trade request as a way to reject the possibility of coming off the bench and inactivity until the trade deadline played a role. Crowder got an opportunity with a contender like the Bucks.
However, his minutes went down in the 18-game stint he had there. Crowder averaged 6.9 points, playing 18.9 minutes per game. He played only 10 minutes a game across four appearances during the Bucks' first-round series loss against the Heat.
Crowder picked up 10 DNPs (did not play) in his stint with Milwaukee alone. The two-time finalist went from a coveted veteran starter to a sporadic bench player within one year. After making $29 million on his last contract extension, which he signed in 2020, Crowder signed a $3.4 million veteran minimum deal with the Bucks this offseason.