The pros and cons of the Milwaukee Bucks trading for Jae Crowder

The verdict on if the Milwaukee Bucks should trade for Jae Crowder

It would not be the least bit surprising to see the Milwaukee Bucks pull off a trade for Jae Crowder before the 2022-23 NBA season.

The front office is seemingly in the market for switchable defenders, and there is no name on the market hotter right now than Crowder. Seeking a fresh start, he could return to the state where he played his collegiate basketball and compete for a title. The forward would have a tailor-made role waiting for him in Milwaukee, as he would likely be a starter. Adding Crowder would immediately draw comparisons to Milwaukee’s move to trade for P.J. Tucker in 2020-21, and rightfully so.

While Crowder would be a justifiable trade target, he should be second on Milwaukee’s wish list at this moment. Jordan Clarkson, who the Bucks have also been rumored to have interest in, should be atop the team’s list at the moment due to their need for more creators offensively. If Clarkson is no longer an option for the Bucks, then Crowder should be someone they pursue heavily. He is a player that would undoubtedly help the Bucks in their quest for another championship.

The most significant uncertainty is what the Phoenix Suns may want in exchange for the veteran. They do not exactly have much leverage in the situation, but they will not just give him away at the end of the day. The Bucks would have to start by matching Crowder’s $10.2 million salary for next season, which is doable. The question is how persistent the Bucks will be as they look to add more switchable defenders to this roster.

Stay tuned to see if the Milwaukee Bucks’ rumored interest in Jae Crowder intensifies before the 2022-23 NBA season begins.