Kings Nearing Deal With Jae Crowder

The Sacramento Kings, sitting at 8-10 and dealing with a slew of injuries, are nearing a deal with veteran forward Jae Crowder, according to Shams Charania of ESPN.

This move comes as the Kings look to stabilize their roster and add experience to a team that has shown flashes of promise but struggled with consistency early in the season.

Crowder, a 13-year NBA veteran, brings a wealth of playoff experience, including two NBA Finals appearances with the Miami Heat in 2020 and the Phoenix Suns in 2021. He has been a reliable contributor throughout his career, known for his toughness, defensive versatility, and ability to hit timely shots from beyond the arc.

Last season with the Milwaukee Bucks, Crowder appeared in 50 games, averaging 6.2 points, 3.2 rebounds, and logging 23.1 minutes per contest.

While those numbers don’t jump off the page, Crowder’s impact often goes beyond the box score. He’s a proven winner, having played for nine NBA teams and posting career averages of 9.3 points and 4.2 rebounds over 803 games.

The Kings reportedly worked out Crowder during the offseason, so this move has been on their radar for some time. With forward Trey Lyles sidelined for at least three to four weeks due to a Grade 1 right calf strain, the timing makes sense.

Sacramento is hoping Crowder’s veteran presence and physical play can fill some of the gaps left by Lyles’ absence. Crowder could be available as soon as Wednesday, when the Kings face the surging Minnesota Timberwolves on the road.

Adding to the Kings’ challenges, the team also announced that DeMar DeRozan, dealing with lower back muscle inflammation, will miss the Timberwolves game. 

As for Crowder, questions remain. How much does he have left in the tank? Can he mesh quickly with a Kings roster already dealing with injuries and inconsistencies? Those answers will come soon enough, but one thing’s for sure: the Kings aren’t sitting idle as they navigate the ups and downs of an unpredictable season.