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.
Lamar Stevens
Sticking with that last point about the Milwaukee Bucks needing to find a hidden gem on a low-cost contract in free agency, Lamar Stevens also fits that description.
Stevens had a Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde-esque 2023-24 season, scarcely playing for the Boston Celtics to start the year before playing a massive role for the Memphis Grizzlies to end it. In Memphis, he put up career bests across the board, scoring, rebounding and playmaking while playing stellar defense on a nightly basis.
That last point is what makes Stevens a compelling option for Milwaukee. At 6-foot-6, 230 pounds, Stevens possesses a build that allows him to take on bigger wings. Essentially, he could do what the Bucks hoped Crowder could do when they traded for him, giving them a sturdy wing who can be of use when crafting endless lineup combinations.
The one big concern with Stevens is his lack of an outside shot. For his career, he's shot 28.6 percent from deep. It's always been the weakest aspect of his game, which could make him a problematic fit in Milwaukee due to the team's need to surround Giannis Antetokounmpo with shooting. Still, that's no reason to abandon the pursuit, as he could help this team in many other areas.
Despite his strong showing with Memphis, Stevens likely has not priced himself out of Milwaukee's range in free agency. At 26, he could be of assistance regarding the team's need for youth, all the more reason he should be on their radar. If he's willing to take a team-friendly deal, Stevens could slide into Jae Crowder's role well.
Taurean Prince
Of these players, Taurean Prince feels like the safest bet to come in and make the biggest impact in Crowder's place. That's largely because he's the most experienced and has the largest sample size of games under his belt, having just finished his eighth NBA season. He should be on Milwaukee's radar in free agency.
The 6-foot-6 veteran is capable of playing either forward position, which would give the Bucks some nice versatility. With that size, he's a quality defender and can take on players of all shapes and sizes. Offensively, he's a fine scorer and perimeter shooter, having averaged 10.1 points while hitting 37.6 percent of his career triples. Having just turned 30, he's still fairly young and would fit in nicely.
The big question is what type of deal Prince may command on the open market this NBA off-season. If he's willing to take something on the cheaper side, he'd be a quality option for the Bucks. If not, it's tough to imagine them luring the forward from Los Angeles to Milwaukee. Still, as they should do with any player above 6-foot-6 who can play defense, the Milwaukee Bucks should at least call him.
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