NBA Rumors: Ex-Celtics Forward Drawing Interest In Western Conference

Jae Crowder hasn't generated much interest in NBA free agency this offseason, sitting available and ready to sign with less than six weeks until Opening Night, however, the 34-year-old could be on the move with one of the Western Conference's more fringe-contending franchises giving him a look.

Crowder is scheduled to work out with the Sacramento Kings this week, per FOX40's Sean Cunningham, which would officially close the door on a two-year run spent with the Milwaukee Bucks. Crowder would become just the latest of multiple seasoned veterans Sacramento has considered, including ex-Boston Celtics teammate Isaiah Thomas -- Thomas worked out with the Kings in August in hopes of an audition.

Milwaukee utilized Crowder's 3-point shooting and defensive persistence in a part-time starter's/reserve unit role -- Crowder started in 25-of-50 appearances. He averaged 6.2 points with 3.2 rebounds while shooting 42.2% from the field and 34.9% from beyond the arc, but that role shrunk along with the Bucks' rotations throughout their first-round playoff series against the Indiana Pacers. Crowder logged 10.5 minutes in four appearances although the series went six games, averaged 2.3 points and endured a first-round exit, directing him and the organization to the offseason.

Crowder is no stranger to the West, returning after a two-year stint with the Phoenix Suns, including a failed trip to the NBA Finals -- the Bucks won in six games. Granted, Crowder's responsibility, if signed by Sacramento, would inherently grow as the Kings have yet to establish themselves as a legitimate threat in the conference; certainly not to the level of rivals such as the Dallas Mavericks, Denver Nuggets, Minnesota Timberwolves or the Oklahoma City Thunder. Sacramento last booked a trip to the playoffs in 2023 and suffered a first-round elimination at the hands of the Golden State Warriors, the first time the Kings secured playoff contention in 17 years.

Pending Sacramento bounces back from its modest 46-36, No. 9 seed conference finish and does compete next season, it'll continue Crowder's ongoing reputation of landing with competitive, playoff-hungry organizations, including his three-year tenure with the then-underdog Celtics.