Why a Jae Crowder trade does not make sense for the Dallas Mavericks

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The Dallas Mavericks are back as media day kicks off the 2022-2023 season. They begin practices on Tuesday as the team prepares for their Oct. 19 regular-season opener against the Phoenix Suns. Dallas is a forgotten team in the deep West, despite reaching the conference finals last season, but Luka Doncic will have them back in the mix.

The Suns had the best record in the NBA last season before falling to the Mavs in the second round of the playoffs. They are looking to make another run after reaching the NBA Finals in 2021, but things are not starting on the best foot as Shams Charania broke the news that starting forward Jae Crowder would not be taking part in training camp as the two sides search for a trade.

Could the Mavericks acquire him? The 6’6 forward makes any contending team better, but here are three reasons why a Jae Crowder trade does not make sense for Dallas.

Jae Crowder wants a starting role and the Dallas Mavericks do not have one available

ESPN’s Brian Windhorst reported the Suns want Cam Johnson to play more and that was partially behind the Crowder trade request. The 32-year-old veteran Tweeted this on Sunday evening after the news broke that he would not report to training camp.

ONE MUST SEEK WORK WHERE HE IS WANTED.. WHERE HE IS NEEDED.! I AM THANKFUL FOR WHAT THESE PAST 2 YRS HAVE TAUGHT ME.! NOW I MUST TAKE ON ANOTHER CHALLENGE WITH CONTINUED HARDWORK & DEDICATION.! FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO CLOSED THE DOOR ON ME…. THANK YOU! 99 BACK SOON.! 🥷🏾🤫🤐
— JAE CROWDER (@CJC9BOSS) September 25, 2022

Crowder played 28 minutes per game last season, and he clearly wants at least that much playing time this year. He primarily played the four in his two seasons with the Suns, which is the Mavericks' deepest position.

Dorian Finney-Smith figures to start there and earn the second-most minutes on the team behind Luka Doncic. Dallas also has Christian Wood, Maxi Kleber, and Davis Bertans fighting for minutes at power forward. There is no way the Mavericks can find 28 minutes for Crowder in that crowded group. Dallas could play Doe-Doe more at the three, but that means limiting the playing time of Reggie Bullock, Tim Hardaway Jr., or Spencer Dinwiddie.

Trading for Jae Crowder would create a logjam for head coach Jason Kidd and the Dallas Mavericks, which could produce more problems than solutions.

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