Free agent forward Jae Crowder is working out this week with the Kings, sources tell Sean Cunningham of Fox 40 Sacramento (Twitter link).
As Cunningham explains, Crowder is in town to join Kings players seeking “on-court competition” ahead of training camp next month. As was the case with Isaiah Thomas‘ workouts in Sacramento last month, it’s unclear whether Crowder is explicitly getting an opportunity to audition for management or if the sessions are more informal. Either way, it certainly wouldn’t hurt his case for a contract to perform well.
Crowder has appeared in over 800 regular season games since making his NBA debut in 2012. The 34-year-old has averaged 9.3 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 1.6 assists in 25.0 minutes per game across 12 seasons, posting a shooting line of .419/.348/.777. In his prime years, he played a key three-and-D role on contending teams in Boston, Cleveland, Utah, Miami, and Phoenix.
Crowder spent the past season-and-a-half with the Bucks and averaged 6.4 PPG and 3.4 RPG with a .371 3PT% in 68 games (22.0 MPG). However, he struggled mightily across two postseasons in Milwaukee, making 6-of-25 shots (24.0%) from the field, including 1-of-13 three-pointers (7.7%), as the team was outscored by 43 points during his 83 playoff minutes.
The Kings currently have 14 players on standard contracts and would surpass the luxury tax line if they add a 15th man. However, two of those 14 contracts aren’t fully guaranteed, so the team still has a little roster flexibility below the tax.
Keon Ellis, who is on a non-guaranteed contract, probably isn’t going anywhere, but Orlando Robinson, who has a $500K partial guarantee, isn’t a lock to spend the entire season with the club. Of course, there’s also nothing stopping Sacramento from adding a 15th man and going into tax territory, then ducking below that threshold with a move later in the season.
Loved Jae as a Celtic years ago, hated to see him traded back then. But I could never understand why he sat out and why Phoenix let him. Seemed to completely derail what were likely his last 2/3 years in the league.
He’s delusional about how good he is
He had a good contract there and an excellent situation. He ruined his hard earned image overnight. He was prolly given terrible advice and hanging out with a wrong crowd. :(
Yawn. Only way the Kings sign someone else is if they feel like they’ll be more seller than buyer on a Huerter deal.
Planning for failure before the year starts is a sacred tradition around here though so who knows.
It’s a nice thing to his agent, that’s all. Get Crowder name out there and maybe some team will want him (for some crazy reason), and the Kings get some brownie points.
You need a tall shot blocking PF not Jae
Somehow Grayson Allen is liked more than this guy.