Rumors: Dallas Mavericks not interested in Jae Crowder

The Dallas Mavericks want to upgrade their roster and build an annual title contender around superstar Luka Doncic. They have seen the destruction number 77 can cause. Doncic and the Mavs knocked out the Utah Jazz in the first round of the playoffs last year, and they subsequently blew up their roster. The top-seeded Suns are still facing turmoil after falling to Dallas in the second round, including starting forward Jae Crowder requesting a trade.

The former Maverick is not in training camp as the two sides search for a deal. Crowder is a 6’6 3-and-D forward that has played in the NBA Finals in two of the last three years. The 32-year-old makes his team better and would be a boost to any contender.

The Mavs were linked to a Crowder trade, but the latest rumors dispute that. John Gambadoro, who is as locked in on the Suns as anyone, reported Dallas is not interested in Crowder. Marc Stein confirmed the Mavericks lack of interest on Friday. Things can change fast in the NBA, so why are the Mavs out of the running?

Rumors: Dallas Mavericks not interested in Jae Crowder

Crowder requested a trade in part because his role was being diminished in Phoenix. The 6’6 forward started each of the last two years, and he averaged 28 minutes per game. The Suns want to play Cameron Johnson more minutes at the four, and that move comes at the expense of Jae Crowder.

The Mavericks do not have a massive role for Crowder either. Power forward is the team’s deepest position with Dorian Finney-Smith expected to start and average the second-most minutes on the team behind only superstar Luka Doncic. Christian Wood, Maxi Kleber, and Davis Bertans will all be fighting for playing time at the four behind Finney-Smith. There is no way head coach Jason Kidd could find 28 minutes for Crowder and adequate minutes for the options currently on their roster.

Before the Mavs traded for Christian Wood and signed JaVale McGee, it would have made sense to trade for Crowder, but Dallas already upgraded their frontcourt this offseason. They will stick with their current pieces as the Mavericks look to take another step forward this season.

Fans should expect a Jae Crowder trade before the start of the regular season. He is currently the best player on the market, and the Suns want to contend for a championship. They need pieces to do that, and it does them zero good letting Crowder sit at home. He won’t land on the Dallas Mavericks, but do not be surprised to see the 6’6 forward on a contender in October. Which one? Stay tuned to find out.