For months veteran forward Jae Crowder has been awaiting a trade from the Phoenix Suns. He has remained away from the team since training camp, which has been an excused absence. Now, the NBA trade deadline is rapidly approaching.
After learning that he would have a diminished role during the 2022-23 season, with Cam Johnson stepping into the starting lineup, Crowder sought a change. While there has been interest in him around the league, nothing has come to fruition. However, some progress seems to be being made.
According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, the Milwaukee Bucks have been granted permission to talk to Crowder. This could be a big step toward getting a deal done as the Suns and Bucks have engaged in trade talks, even discussing the possibility of involving a third team to help facilitate a deal.
Based on Charania’s report, Milwaukee is thought to be the only franchise to receive clearance to meet with Crowder one-on-one. The Miami Heat and Atlanta Hawks are two of the teams mentioned as still having an interest in Crowder, but it seems as if the Bucks have pulled ahead in the race to acquire him.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Jae Crowder, Phoenix Suns & Milwaukee Bucks Updates
Trade talks have been ongoing for months between Phoenix and Milwaukee. Jordan Nwora, George Hill, Serge Ibaka and second-round draft picks have all been made available in talks from the Bucks’ end.
Crowder would be a perfect fit for the Bucks’ lineup, filling the void that the team has had in the frontcourt since P.J. Tucker departed in free agency. Tucker signed with the Miami Heat as a free agent after the Bucks won the NBA Championship in 2021 and have never really filled that role.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Jae Crowder, Phoenix Suns & Milwaukee Bucks Updates
The 10-year veteran would provide the team with some toughness, veteran leadership and versatility in the frontcourt given his ability to play multiple positions. He has plenty of postseason experience as well, as he was on the Suns’ team that lost to the Bucks in the NBA Finals and the Heat team that lost to the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA Finals in the Orlando Bubble in 2020.
