After sitting out all season in Phoenix, Jae Crowder will finally get some time on the court playing for the Bucks.
Phoenix traded Crowder to Brooklyn along with Mikal Bridges, Cameron Johnson and picks in exchange for Kevin Durant and TJ Warren. Crowder was then traded to Milwaukee.
However, Milwaukee coach Mike Budenholzer has said the 32-year-old won’t start playing for the team until after the All-Star break.
Crowder sitting out in Phoenix was reportedly caused by frustrations he had with his contract which rose before training camp even began. The end result was both he and the team agreeing he would sit out.
“I just feel like it’s behind me now,” Crowder said. “We had some stuff happen internally that they asked me to keep inside, so I’m going to grant their wishes. Obviously I’ve been working with these guys for a trade partner for months now. I think give or take they did exactly what they said they was going to do. Took longer than what we all expected, but it got done.”
In 2021-22, he made he averaged 9.4 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.9 assists and played a key role in getting the Suns to the Finals. It was his second straight Finals appearance after also making it with Miami in 2020.
Now, his return to Milwaukee brings back memories, having spent his college days at Marquette just down the road.
“I just took a ride down memory lane,” he said. “I went to see where I used to stay at. I rolled through the town, through campus. I just embraced it and took it all in. I think it’s full circle for me in my life. Here we are 12 years later, 11 years later, I’m back where it all started for myself and this journey.
“I’m thankful for my time in Phoenix,” Crowder said. “I’m thankful for my teammates. I’m thankful for the organization embracing me the past two years — we had a great run, and we did some great things in Phoenix, and we turned their culture around. So, I’m happy for those guys. I wish them luck moving forward. I’m moving on to my next chapter in my career here in Milwaukee.”