Should Dallas Mavericks trade for Jae Crowder? Will they?

Should the Dallas Mavericks trade for Jae Crowder?

Crowder is a winning player that does the little things that make his team successful. Last season, he averaged 9.4 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 1.4 steals in 28.1 minutes per game. The 6’6 forward shot just 39.9 percent from the field and 34.8 percent from 3-point range, but on limited volume.

In his first season in Phoenix, Crowder shot 39.6 percent on catch-and-shoot 3-pointers, and he made 43.6 percent of his wide-open triples where the defender was six-plus feet away per NBA Stats. Luka Doncic is arguably the best shot creator in the league, so fans should expect Crowder to hit his triples if he comes to Dallas.

The 32-year-old brings the defense. He has the size and athleticism to guard multiple positions, and Crowder finished 53rd in FiveThirtyEight’s defensive RAPTOR last season. He would give the Mavericks a third strong perimeter defender, and he would be a seamless fit in head coach Jason Kidd’s system.

The Dallas Mavericks are searching for another 3-and-D wing. Crowder is not the best 3-point shooter, but he is a strong defender that keeps the ball moving and does the little things his team needs. Crowder has played in three NBA Finals, and his team has not missed the playoff since 2014. The Mavs should be interested in Crowder, and they have been in the past.