Reports: Milwaukee Bucks are the most favorable team to land Jae Crowder
The ongoing saga between the Phoenix Suns and Jae Crowder may finally be coming to an end. So far this season, the veteran forward has yet to step on the court while he and the Suns brass look to find a suitable trade. After playing integral roles in playoff runs for several teams, including the Utah Jazz and Miami Heat, he wound up on the Suns.
There, he helped the team reach the NBA Finals and make playoff runs in back-to-back seasons. This year, however, things changed for the veteran 3-and-D forward. The Suns locked down Cam Johnson to a long-term deal this offseason, leading to Crowder being relegated to a bench role. That didn't sit too well with the veteran, who agreed to sit until the team found him a trade.
Since then, the Suns roster has suffered several injuries. Notably, budding young star Cam Johnson was forced to undergo surgery to remove part of his meniscus, sidelining him for one to two months. Josh Okogie, Chris Paul and Landry Shamet have also been sidelined with injuries.
Despite that, Crowder is yet to find his way back onto the floor. Based on the latest reports, it looks like the Milwaukee Bucks could be the favorite to land the veteran forward.
NBA Insider Jake Fischer spoke on his podcast recently to explain why the Bucks are the favorites to land Crowder:
“People around the situation have said that Milwaukee is the most likely team to land him,”
He also pointed to a recent report regarding the Bucks' willingness to part ways with Grayson Allen as one of the indicators that a Jae Crowder trade could be finalized.
Milwaukee has called numerous teams about Grayson Allen’s trade prospects, per @JakeLFischer https://t.co/CKqRSTxmtW
Jae Crowder and the Milwaukee Bucks
Right now, the Milwaukee Bucks sit in second place in the Eastern Conference behind the Boston Celtics. With an impressive 11-3 record so far this season, the Bucks have repeatedly proven themselves to be true contenders in the East. The Bucks have shown they're still the same dominant team that won an NBA championship in 2021..
Given that, a trade for Jae Crowder would only further cement their status as contenders in the Eastern Conference. Although he hasn't played yet this season, Crowder's abilities make him one of the best 3-and-D players in the league. It's for that very reason that Jae Crowder has appeared in every NBA playoffs since the 2014 season.
Over the years, he has continued to make his presence felt in big moments on both sides of the floor. With a knack for both on-ball and off-ball defense and a lightning-quick 3-point shot, Crowder can impact the game in big moments even without the ball in his hands.
Below you can see another report regarding Crowder allegedly being on the New York Knicks trade radar.
Get out your crystal ball and give us your prediction on where you think Crowder winds up in the comments section below!