Bucks forward Jae Crowder is nearing his return after being sidelined since tearing his left adductor muscle in a November 11 game, writes Jim Owczarski of The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel. Crowder underwent surgery three days later and has been steadily increasing his activity level, with three five-on-five practice sessions upcoming this week.
“I did have a set target to get to this point,” Crowder said, “and I pushed myself to get to this point and took care of my body and tried to do the things I needed to do while I’m away from the medical staff, while I’m at home doing the little stuff that I needed to do to get myself back to where I need to be.”
Crowder had been dealing with an adductor issue since the first week of training camp, so the surgery eliminated the pain he was playing through in the early part of the season. He hopes to return soon to boost Milwaukee’s defense, which currently ranks 22nd in the league. He’ll spend some practice time with the G League Wisconsin Herd as he works his way back, and although a target date hasn’t been set, Crowder believes he’ll know when he’s ready.
“I just want to get back to feeling what I want, what I need to feel,” he said. “I think ultimately that I’ll be better. I think I’ll be better than I was before pre-injury, honestly. Just taking on the challenges of what we need to do, like helping these guys, taking on that matchup of stopping the best offensive player. I think I’ll be much better off than I was before and I felt like I was doing a decent job at it before.”
There’s more from the Central Division:
- The Pacers are interested in “just about every starting power forward possible,” Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports said in an interview with The Trade Deadline (video link), adding that Indiana was pursing OG Anunoby before Toronto traded him to the Knicks. Fischer confirms that Buddy Hield is available after he failed to reach an extension with the team last summer, but says the Pacers have “pretty much rebuffed any teams’ interest in T.J. McConnell.”
- The Pacers were hoping to re-sign James Johnson after last season, but they didn’t have an open roster spot until they reached a buyout agreement with Daniel Theis in mid-November, per Scott Agness of Fieldhouse Files (subscription required). “We had talked about it really since the exit meetings last year,” coach Rick Carlisle said. “With the moves that were made early in July, we were gonna have 15 guaranteed contracts. Just weren’t sure about bringing him into camp and then having to cut him if it was going to be that kind of situation.”
- After being traded to the Spurs last summer, Cedi Osman still has fond memories of Cleveland, according to Tom Orsborn of The San Antonio Express-News. Osman will make his return to the city on Sunday as his new team takes on the Cavaliers. “They really do care about their sports teams, with the Guardians, the Browns, the Cavs,” Osman said. “I always felt their support during games, even during a bad stretch. In my second and third year when we were kind of rebuilding, they were supporting us no matter what.”
There are players who put up nice stats. But don’t impact winning……
You really have to wonder why ????
Interesting that they are so desperate to add a PF yet drafted Jarace Walker and don’t look at all interested in trying him.
In his very limited game time he’s actually been decent too…
9 mins per game, 36% from 3 and 86% from the FT line. 4 points 1 rebound 1 assist and 0.7 stocks per game.
The one thing which stands out to me is yeah he’s undersized at 6’7 so why did you draft him knowing rebounding would be an issues with Myles Turner also being a poor rebounder.
Anyway, Utah is desperately trying to get rid of John Collins. Wonder if they give you a first if you have them Heild and idk Obi Toppin. Heild would be a good expiring deal and could help fix their floor spacing issues.
Otherwise with Portland now rebuilding, give them Heild and Walker for Jerami Grant, maybe if you have to throw in a couple second round picks. Grant would be a good addition tho.
Lastly and crazy idea but Ben Simmons. Salary matching, determining his value and agreeing to draft capital would all take a very long time but he could be a very interesting option. 6’10 and an elite defender one of the best in the league, really good playmaking and high IQ, decent rebounder, great ability to drive and kick or finish inside.
Plus Indy would surround him with good shooters in Tyrese, Myles, Bruce and Benedict.
That’s a good point about Walker. I thought he’d be a good fit with Haliburton. Same goes for Obi1.
Love the idea of Jerami Grant. Versatile scorer, is shooting 42% from 3 on almost 6 attempts a game and can defend well on the perimiter. Contract isn’t the best but for what he can deliver as a third or fourth option he would be a great guy to have for a team that is struggling defensively.
Cavs are 20-15 while losing two starters. Two of their stars. Most teams would have folded. Don’t sleep on Cavs. They will be better when they get healthy.
Pacers can I interest you in Andrew Wiggins?
Pass