NBA free agent forward Jae Crowder is close to a deal with the Sacramento Kings, sources informed ESPN’s Shams Charania on Tuesday. The Kings (8-10) are reportedly signing Crowder to improve their frontcourt depth, as they continue to work around various injuries.
Sacramento Kings have an open roster spot to sign Jae Crowder, are currently $3.7 million below the luxury tax line
Crowder, 34, worked out for the Kings in the offseason, and the 13-year veteran has made two NBA Finals appearances. The Marquette product advanced to the NBA Finals with the Miami Heat in 2020 and the Phoenix Suns in 2021.
Sacramento has an open roster spot and is $3.7 million below the luxury tax line, Bobby Marks of ESPN posted on X. The 6-foot-6 Crowder is expected to be available as early as Wednesday’s road game against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Sacramento has an open roster spot available.
They are $3.7M below the tax.
Some numbers on their bench:
– Last 2 games: 82-31 (-51)
– 28th in points per game https://t.co/kHw9IyvVPP
— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) November 26, 2024
Last season with the Milwaukee Bucks, the Georgia native averaged 6.2 points, 3.2 rebounds, 1.3 assists, and 23.1 minutes over 50 games (25 starts). He also shot 42.2% from the floor and 34.9% from 3-point range.
In Milwaukee’s 129-105 loss to Minnesota on Feb. 8, 2024, he recorded a season-high 21 points on 7-of-11 (63.6%) shooting from the field and four 3-pointers in 37 minutes as a starter.
Sacramento has Trey Tyles listed out indefinitely, DeMar DeRozan is out Wednesday against Minnesota
Through 803 career NBA regular-season games, Crowder has averaged 9.3 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 1.6 assists while playing for the Mavericks, Celtics, Cavaliers, Jazz, Grizzlies, Heat, Suns, and Bucks.
The Kings also announced Tuesday that forward Trey Lyles has a Grade 1 right calf strain and will be out at least three to four weeks, and DeMar DeRozan has lower back muscle inflammation and is out Wednesday against the Timberwolves.
Lyles has appeared in 18 games this season, including two starts. According to Basketball-Reference, he’s averaging 5.4 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 19.6 minutes per game while shooting 36.3% from the field and 33.3% from deep.
Sacramento has lost its last four games, dropping to 12th in the Western Conference standings. The Kings are 3-7 in their past 10 contests and just 5-7 against intraconference opponents.
