The Milwaukee Bucks needed a boost when they acquired Jae Crowder at the 2023 trade deadline. They hoped the 6’6 forward make an impact on both ends of the floor and did not blink at giving up five second-round draft picks in the deal. Crowder had not played because of a holdout after a demoted him to the bench, and fans never saw the same player.
He spent two disastrous seasons in Milwaukee. Crowder averaged 6.4 points, 3.4 rebounds, 1.4 assists, and 0.7 steals in 22.0 minutes per game. The veteran shot 43.7 percent from the field and 37.1 percent on his threes. His numbers were down from previous stops, and Crowder only played ten minutes per game in the playoffs as the Bucks were twice bounced in the opening round.
Crowder struggled to find a home this offseason. He did not join the Kings until Nov. 27, but Sacramento hoped he could provide a needed lift. The 34-year-old played a key role in the Heat and Suns reaching the NBA Finals in back-to-back years, but fans have not seen that player since his Phoenix days.
Jae Crowder may have reached a sad end to NBA career
The Kings started him on the evening they signed him. They hoped he could fill in as a 3-and-D forward. Sacramento has De’Aaron Fox, Domantas Sabonis, and DeMar DeRozan to fill it up. They need versatile defenders capable of sinking open looks around them. Prime Jae Crowder would be perfect, and the Kings took a chance at unlocking that player.
He started the first two games and has scored two points since. Crowder played 11.9 minutes per over three contests after being dropped to the bench and has been removed from the rotation entirely for the last three. The Kings have won each game and quickly found out that Crowder does not have it.
Sacramento was outscored with him on the floor in three of his five games. He struggles to defend and made just 25.0 percent of his 12 3-point attempts.
It is time to call it a career. The 13-year veteran spent a decade as a key role player on a contender. He played in two NBA Finals and three conference finals. There is no questioning his legacy, but Father Time is undefeated. Crowder is not the same player and can no longer be impactful in the NBA.
The Kings quickly found out that Jae Crowder had nothing left. The Milwaukee Bucks knew his fate, but it was a sad end for a skilled role player. Things did not work in Milwaukee, and the franchise was wise to move on. Crowder is still with the Kings, but do not expect him to make an impact. Unfortunately, it is time to hang up the sneakers.