The Milwaukee Bucks are playing well, sitting at 33-17 and third in the Eastern Conference, just two and a half games behind the reigning Eastern Conference Champion Boston Celtics.
Will Suns Trade Jae Crowder To Milwaukee Bucks?
But GM Jon Horst and head coach Mike Budenholzer would love nothing more than to add some more wing versatility to their rotation before the trade deadline. That is highly likely to come in a trade for disgruntled Phoenix Suns wing Jae Crowder, who hasn’t played this season as he and the Suns are at odds after Crowder lost his starting position to rising shooter Cam Johnson.
That has spurned the Suns to look for the best possible trade to move Crowder and his affordable price tag of just $8.5M for this season. He’ll he a free agent at season’s end, making him a welcomed commodity by team’s looking to position themselves for a playoff run. The Bucks seem like the perfect situation for him, as he’ll provide toughness, versatility, and shooting to a team that features the interior dominance of Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Shams Charania of The Athletic reported this about Crowder to “Cream City” talks heating up.
“In a new development the Suns have given permission to the Bucks to meet with Crowder and they met over the weekend league sources told The Athletic. The Bucks are believed to be the only team that has received permission to visit one-on-one with Crowder, those sources have indicated.”
Reports are the two teams even have a deal mapped out.
“Both the Suns and Bucks have engaged in serious trade talks for months, with current proposals surrounding Jordan Nwora, George Hill and Serge Ibaka and second-round draft compensation to Phoenix for Crowder, according to sources. The Bucks searched for a third team to provide Phoenix with a forward — so what outcome will emerge between now and next Thursday?”
"I'm told the Suns have given permission to the Bucks to meet 1-on-1 with Jae Crowder."
Current offer:
Suns:
– Jordan Nwora
– Serge Ibaka
– George Hill
– 2nd round draft compensationsBucks:
– CrowderWho says no? 🤔
(via @ShamsCharania, @FanDuelTV)pic.twitter.com/TGXDqdEVlM
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) January 30, 2023
For the Bucks they hope it’s another 3-and-D player to add for their late-season and playoff run.
Crowder Would Give Bucks What They Lost In PJ Tucker
During the Bucks run to the 2021 NBA title, their first in 50 seasons, it was the gritty play of forward PJ Tucker, a true 3-and-D wing that was essential to their title fortunes. He provided the same toughness, versatility and defense that is a staple of Crowder’s game. Crowder is probably a better shooter, but neither is afraid of the moment and is willing to let it fly in a clutch spot, which is vital when you play with someone like Giannis.
Adding Crowder would also allow the Bucks to finish games with a unit of Giannis and Crowder along with Bobby Portis in the frontcourt and Jrue Holiday and swingman Khris Middleton in the backcourt. That would arguably be the most complete closing lineup in the league from an offensive and defensive standpoint. It’s the type of move that could make the Bucks the prohibitive favorites in the East and maybe the entire league.
Crowder is in Milwaukee. He met w Bucks FO this morning and met w Shaka Smart/Marquette this afternoon.
Sounds like Crowder to #Bucks is almost a done deal.
— Bucks Autographs (@BucksAutographs) January 30, 2023
Suns Want To Move Jae Crowder To The East
While, Crowder isn’t a star player, his value is understood. That’s one of the reasons why the Suns want to trade him to an Eastern Conference team and the Bucks seem to have the best offer on the table. Nwora is a solid young prospect, George Hill is a savvy veteran backup point guard. They’d probably release Ibaka so he can find a team that needs him to play.
Reports say the Bucks will probably trade for Crowder, then extend him for two years and maybe $15 million to $18 million. A committed Crowder would certainly end Milwaukee’s hunt for an extra wing defender every deadline the past few years.
This move is all about capitalizing on Giannis’ peak as the game’s best two-way player and doing everything they can to compete for championships yearly. It’s a promise they made to Antetokounmpo when he re-signed with them in December 2020 for five years and $228 million.
