Report: Bucks likely to retain recently acquired wing in free agency

At the Feb. 9 trade deadline, the Milwaukee Bucks acquired veteran wing Jae Crowder from the Phoenix Suns. The deal to bring Crowder to Fiserv Forum involved four teams and saw the Bucks depart with George Hill, Serge Ibaka, Jordan Nwora, and three second-round draft picks, with a further two second-rounders going to the Brooklyn Nets. 

Now that the NBA season is over, Crowder is an unrestricted free agent. However, according to Marc Stein, it appears likely that Milwaukee will look to retain Crowder's services moving forward.

"The Bucks are increasingly expected to re-sign Jae Crowder after surrendering five (yes, five) second-round picks to acquire him from Phoenix before the February trade deadline," Stein reported on June 28. 

Crowder, 32, was unable to stop the Bucks from succumbing to a shock first-round playoff defeat at the hands of the Miami Heat. A defeat that ultimately cost Mike Budenholzer his job as the team's head coach. Throughout his career, Crowder has been an impactful member of multiple teams' playoff rotations. With an impressive defensive-first ethos and a reliable perimeter jump shot, Crowder is seen as one of the most reliable three-and-d wings in the NBA. 

The presence of Giannis Antetokounmpo on Milwaukee's roster means they will continue to be viewed as championship contenders. Crowder's presence within the rotation helps give Milwaukee another playoff contributor who understands what it takes to succeed in the postseason. Having the type of veteran leadership Crowder can provide is invaluable. 

As such, retaining Crowder should be among the Bucks' off-season priorities. It's clear the front office valued what he would bring to the rotation due to the amount of draft capital they parted with to acquire him. And Crowder is clearly in the stage of his career where contending for a championship is what's most important. Milwaukee and Crowder could both need each other this season, so a free-agency reunion could be in the best interests of both sides.