NEWSLETTER
The Bucks have finally gotten their man. Jae Crowder is headed to Milwaukee in a three-team trade.
Rumored for weeks as the most likely landing spot for Crowder – they were even given permission to speak to him while he was holding out in Phoenix – the Bucks have officially acquired him from the Brooklyn Nets in exchange for five second-round picks, per The Athletic’s Shams Charania.
Jordan Nwora of Milwaukee is also headed to Indiana in a three-team deal.
Even if they’re just second-rounders, throwing away FIVE of them sure feels like a lot, but I guess that’s the kind of thing you can do when Giannis Antetokounmpo is on your roster. The organization will remain a contender as long as he’s in town, and Crowder will undoubtedly fit right into the way they like to play. He’ll only bolster their physicality and 3rd-ranked defense, while also adding some much-needed 3-point shooting to a team that has sat just 16th in 3-point percentage this year.
For what it’s worth, Crowder was rumored to be a Bulls’ target in recent weeks. There were reportedly discussions about Coby White being involved in those talks, but it wasn’t enough to interest the Suns. I have to imagine the same was the case for the Brooklyn Nets, who have now settled on continuing to retool the draft capital after trading both Irving and Durant this week.
I never thought a Crowder deal made all that much sense when we consider the price tag and that he wants a next contract after this season. If the Bulls were truly in on him, though, the question now is how might they pivot?
UPDATE: It looks like this move will also be sending Serge Ibaka from the Bucks to the Pacers.
The Bucks and Serge Ibaka parting ways does not really come as much of a surprise. Both parties agreed on finding a trade to get Ibaka out of Milwaukee a few weeks ago.
