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In a wild trade deadline frenzy, the Cleveland Cavaliers traded Jae Crowder in exchange for Rodney Hood on Thursday. The transaction was one of several trades the Cavaliers made to strengthen their roster. Crowder, who had been a member of the Celtics last season, was traded to the Cavaliers in a package that included a first-round pick and Isaiah Thomas.
Crowder performed below expectations for the Cavs this season. Crowder averaged 8.6 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 1.1 assists on 42 percent from the field and 32 percent from deep. However, Jazz GM Dennis Lindsey loves Crowder's talent and believes he will fit in well with the Jazz, per Colton Jones of Amico Hoops.
“The way he plays — the physicality, the strength he adds to our group, his mentality — it’s a snug fit,” Jazz GM Dennis Lindsey told reporters Thursday night. “We’re definitely in it for the long haul. Jae is someone that we’ve long admired,” Lindsey said. “He’s really versatile defensively. Can play really two through four. His physicality, with his build, is quite obvious. With the systems that he’s played in with Dallas, Boston and Cleveland, we think we’ve seen enough that we think he can mesh well.”
While Crowder isn't a star, he is a decent complementary player for any team. In the Jazz' pass-heavy offense, Crowder will get more opportunities that eluded him in Cleveland. In the Jazz's high quality defensive scheme, Crowder can also defend players in his position and return back to playing small forward. Moving forward, hopefully Crowder is happy with his new team and can put his dismal stint in Cleveland behind him.
