3 questions for the Milwaukee Bucks following Khris Middleton’s return
By Dalton Sell
No. 2 – Will the Milwaukee Bucks continue their pursuit of Jae Crowder via trade?
The Milwaukee Bucks have been linked to Jae Crowder for months now after the veteran forward requested a trade from the Phoenix Suns before the season. Apparently, the Bucks were close to landing the 32-year-old as well. Per insider Marc Stein (subscription required), there was progress on a deal that would have sent Crowder to Milwaukee recently, but nothing materialized for one reason or another. With Crowder still waiting to be traded, the question remains whether or not the Bucks are still looking to bring him back to the state where he played his college ball.
On paper, Crowder is essentially exactly what the Bucks are always seeking in a trade target in the sense that he is a big wing who can shoot and defend multiple positions. Everyone who states the Bucks are still looking for their P.J. Tucker replacement sounds like an ever-spinning broken record, but they are not wrong. The Bucks need that switchable power forward who can bring some more versatility to this defense, and Crowder is indeed that. Bringing him in would add to the cache of talented defenders on this roster, including Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jrue Holiday, and more.
At this point, the Bucks’ next move is uncertain. Given that a Crowder trade seemed to be on the one-yard line weeks ago, it is a bit puzzling that there have been no updates. Perhaps the Bucks are still working behind the scenes to try and get the wheels turning once again, or perhaps they have ceased their pursuit of Crowder at the moment. The latter would make some sense, as the trade market could look far different in the near future, especially with a sizeable chunk of the league set to become trade-eligible this month. Right now, the only thing Bucks fans can do is wait and see what the team decides to do.
The main question the Bucks face is how willing they are to move Grayson Allen to get Crowder or another piece, which is something they are reportedly exploring.