3 Jae Crowder replacements the Bucks should pursue in free agency
By Dalton Sell
It feels like the Milwaukee Bucks will inevitably lose Jae Crowder in NBA Free Agency this off-season.
Truly, it feels like a mutual parting may be on the horizon. After seeing scarce minutes in back-to-back NBA Playoff showings, Crowder may hunt for a bigger role elsewhere while the Bucks seek younger and more athletic players. The final nail is not in the coffin yet and will not be until Crowder officially signs elsewhere, but all signs point to this experiment coming to a conclusion.
That said, let us pick out three free agent targets who could replace Crowder in Milwaukee next year.
Oshae Brissett
This upcoming free agent class is littered with players who might not be household names but could become one very soon if they find the right situation. One young player who potentially fits that mold is Boston Celtics forward Oshae Brissett.
Over the last two years, Brissett hasn't played much of a prominent role in Indiana or Boston. Yet, in the two years before that, he showed undeniable signs of potential, averaging 9.6 points, 5.4 boards, and an assist while shooting 36.8 percent from deep while playing quality defense. At 25, he's still a young player and could certainly get back to that type of production in the right spot.
In Milwaukee, there would be a big role for Brissett, as this team would love to have a 6-foot-7 forward who boasts a 7-foot wingspan and impressive athletic ability. He has the tools to be the versatile wing defender this team has needed for years now - and why they were willing to shed five second-round picks to acquire Crowder just over a year ago.
After years of relying on smaller wings and guards to match up against the likes of Jayson Tatum and Jimmy Butler, it would be nice to finally have a bigger wing to provide more resistance against them.
Brissett recently declined his player option worth $2.3 million for the 2024-25 NBA season, paving the way for him to hit the open market. Given his limited role in Boston, it's not far-fetched to think that he'd be willing to explore his options to potentially land a bigger role elsewhere. The Milwaukee Bucks could offer him a bigger role at around the same price.