Jae Crowder has made immense strides on the court this season, enough for him to be considered an outside candidate for the NBA’s Most Improved Player award.
And it appears the Boston Celtics think very highly of their starting swingman.
The Orlando Magic traded forward Tobias Harris to the Detroit Pistons ahead of the league’s Feb. 18 trade deadline, but Orlando also had discussions with Boston about a trade for Harris, according to CSN New England’s A. Sherrod Blakely.
But, per Blakely’s league source, the Magic wanted Crowder in return, which caused the Celtics to back out.
“He’s a good player that has opened a lot of eyes since he left (the) Dallas (Mavericks),” a league executive whose team apparently sought Crowder in a trade this season told Blakely, via CSNNE.com. “That contract, his talent. … He’s not untradeable, but he’s about as close to being untradeable on that team.”
Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge said before the trade deadline he’d be willing to part with any player on the roster — for the right price, of course. That said, Crowder has been a huge part of Boston’s success, averaging a career-high 14.2 points per game as an every-day starter while continuing to play excellent defense.
As for the Pistons, they’re probably glad the C’s reportedly backed out of the deal. Harris has averaged 16.6 points per game since coming to Detroit and has helped the club clinch its first playoff appearance since 2009.
Thumbnail photo via Mark L. Baer/USA TODAY Sports Images
