The Bucks finally upgraded their roster by trading draft picks for a solid 3-and-D wing in Jae Crowder. What can Crowder do for the Bucks?
According to Shams Charania, the Milwaukee Bucks are finally adding Jae Crowder after having a template for this deal for a while. The Bucks are giving up five second-round picks, sending two second-rounders to the Pacers for taking on Jordan Nwora and Serge Ibaka in the deal. In order to clear a roster spot, the Pacers are waiving Goga Bitadze.
Jae Crowder was moved to the Nets in a deal for last night Kevin Durant. Immediately, it seemed that he was on the move to another team.
The Bucks are trying to win a title this season and have been hell-bent on getting Crowder for a while now. They had a deal for the Suns a while ago that fell through. With the Nets trying to acquire assets for their players, this deal makes a lot of sense.
What can Jae Crowder do for the Bucks?
In a conference with elite wings, the Bucks need wing defenders and Crowder does fill that need. The Bucks were able to upgrade their team, while not giving that much up in a deal. This makes Milwaukee a much better team and a better fit for defending against Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown in the playoffs.
This may just be a rental as Crowder isn’t under contract for next season, but it seems that he is excited to join the squad. At least, he will not bring up his lack of a contract extension for the rest of the season. The role player isn’t what he used to be but he will be able to provide solid rotational minutes for a title contender.
How did the other two teams do in the trade?
For the Pacers, they were able to get two second-round picks for basically nothing. The Pacers have plenty of unused cap space that will basically be useless by the deadline. At least, Indiana was able to get something in return for their unused cap space.
The Nets are not done dealing after this trade and will continue to find a way to retool after trading Durant and Irving. Brooklyn will try to get more draft picks as they just simply have too many wings on their roster at the moment.
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