NBA Trade Rumors: Jae Crowder name pops up in a 3-team deal projected by Phoenix Suns
With the unofficial start to the trade season approaching, Jae Crowder has been a hot topic of conversation in the NBA. The veteran forward has not played in a game this season as the Phoenix Suns await a suitable trade package.
Given his track record in the league, multiple teams have made calls to Phoenix regarding Jae Crowder. One of the main teams to regularly pop up in rumors is the Milwaukee Bucks.
In his latest news dump for The Athletic, Shams Charania provided the latest intel on a possible Jae Crowder trade. It was there that he mentioned the possibility of a three-team deal to land him in Milwaukee:
"Multiple league sources said the Suns recently engaged in three-team talks that would have sent Crowder to Milwaukee, four Bucks second-round draft picks along with players to Houston, and Eric Gordon and/or Kenyon Martin Jr. to Phoenix."
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Crowder played in 67 games for the Suns last season and posted averages of 9.4 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 1.4 steals.
Jae Crowder can fill a familiar role for the Milwaukee Bucks
It is no surprise the Milwaukee Bucks are one of the teams circling on Jae Crowder. They are currently second in the Eastern Conference at 19-7 and look like a team who can make a run at the NBA title.
From a fit standpoint, Crowder makes a ton of sense on the Bucks. He is a hard-nosed, versatile defender who can also space the floor for Giannis Antetokounmpo. Last year, Crowder connected on nearly 35% of his attempts from deep while shooting almost five a game.
If Milwaukee is able to get a trade done, it will resemble a move they made a few years back that helped them secure a championship. At the 2021 trade deadline, they acquired P.J. Tucker from the Houston Rockets. He shares a similar set of skills as Crowder, and was a key piece in the Bucks' title run.
In today's NBA, capable three-and-D wings are extremely valuable. At 32-years-old, Crowder is still capable of being a high-impact role player for any contender.
After sitting out this long, there is no telling what kind of shape Crowder will be in when a trade finally happens. However, if the Bucks manage to land him, it will be a nice upgrade to their roster. His style of play fits their brand of basketball, and he has the playoff experience to help them in their pursuit of another title.