Portland Trail Blazers veteran target one – Jae Crowder
Jae Crowder has been mentioned as a potential target by Blazers media for a while. At 30, Crowder is still in his prime and can provide value as a starting forward who can knock down three-pointers.
Crowder recently came off contract with the Miami Heat after being traded their midseason by the Memphis Grizzlies. He was a key part of the Heat team, who surprised by making it all the way to the NBA finals.
Crowder is a six-foot-six power forward with a powerful 235-pound body. He mainly plays the four but can play a little bit of three, and in some lineups, he will play the two on offense as a spot-up guy while guarding opposition forwards.
Crowder is primarily a catch and shoot player, and although his career efficiency rate of 34 percent isn’t great, this is on high volume. On his last three regular-season teams, Crowder averaged at least six three-point attempts a game.
As a defender, Crowder mainly guards the opposition’s biggest forward, and as he plays a small amount of center at 230 pounds plus, he can sometimes guard the opposition’s traditional bigs too. He forces a lot of turnovers with his defensive smarts, great hands, and six-foot-nine wingspan.
Crowder has been in the league nine years now, where he has played 72 playoff games for four different teams. This type of veteran post-season success is just what the Blazers need as they look to take the next step.
As a stretch four who can defend at a competent level, I love Crowder for the Blazers. He could be a great fit on a two-year deal around the $7 – $9 million a year range.