Before the 2022-23 NBA season began, ESPN’s Zach Lowe (subscription required) reported that the Milwaukee Bucks would spend the year looking for “one more piece.”
The Bucks have been linked to a handful of players lately, including Jordan Clarkson, Jerami Grant, and Bojan Bogdanovic, as they appear to be hard at work trying to find that piece. As Lowe said in his reporting, Jae Crowder is a player who the Bucks also have an interest in. Milwaukee’s interest was reaffirmed earlier this week when The Athletic’s Shams Charania (subscription required) reported that the Bucks have had recent conversations with the Phoenix Suns regarding Crowder. It appears that Crowder is a player the Bucks have their sights set on, and the forward may be the “one more piece” they are reportedly looking to acquire.
Is Jae Crowder a realistic trade target for the Milwaukee Bucks?
From the moment Jae Crowder requested a trade from Phoenix prior to the start of training camp, the Milwaukee Bucks have made sense as a suitor. The Bucks are always in the hunt for more help on the defensive end, and Crowder is exactly that. The 6-foot-6 power forward would be another switchable defender for Coach Mike Budenholzer to utilize. Having Crowder would make for some outright formidable defensive lineups alongside players like Jrue Holiday, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Wesley Matthews, and others. In short, if the Bucks are looking to tune up their defense, Crowder is undoubtedly a player they should have on their radar.
Looking beyond the fit, Crowder is also a reasonable target for the Bucks from a financial view. The veteran is on the books for an expiring $10.1 million this season, which is quite reasonable for the cash-strapped Bucks. Despite the affordability, the biggest question regarding a trade that would send Crowder back to the state where he played his college basketball is what a deal may look like. The Bucks have finite assets at their disposal, but Crowder could be a player they believe is worth going all-in for, given his experience and defensive stature. If so, here are two trade packages the Bucks could offer to the Suns involving Crowder.