Kings Nearing Deal with Veteran Forward Jae Crowder

The Sacramento Kings are reportedly finalizing a contract with free-agent forward Jae Crowder, according to Shams Charania of ESPN. Crowder, a seasoned NBA veteran, appeared in 50 games for the Milwaukee Bucks last season, posting averages of 6.2 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game.

Crowder's potential addition comes at a crucial time for the Kings, who are currently 12th in the Western Conference with an 8-10 record. Sacramento's bench has been a significant weak point, ranking 28th in points per game and getting outscored 82-31 over the last two contests, as noted by ESPN's Bobby Marks.

A reliable two-way player, Crowder brings 12 years of NBA experience, with career averages of 9.2 points, 4.2 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 1 steal per game. He's also known for his postseason experience, having reached the NBA Finals twice—once with the Miami Heat in 2020 and again with the Phoenix Suns in 2021.

The Kings have been proactive in surrounding franchise stars De'Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis with veteran talent. This offseason, the team signed six-time All-Star DeMar DeRozan and sharpshooter Doug McDermott to bolster their roster.

However, injuries have impacted the Kings' depth. DeRozan is sidelined with back inflammation and will miss Wednesday's game against the Minnesota Timberwolves, while veteran forward Trey Lyles will be re-evaluated in three to four weeks due to a Grade 1 calf strain, according to Brenden Nunes of Sactown Sports 1140.

Crowder's defensive versatility and playoff experience could provide a significant boost to Sacramento's struggling bench as they aim to climb the Western Conference standings.