New Orleans Pelicans: Pass or pursue on 4 free agent small forwards
New Orleans Pelicans: Free agent small forwards, Jae Crowder
Jae Crowder
Jae Crowder is another 30-year-old small forward who might interest the Pelicans.
He moved around between Memphis and Miami last season and played a big role in the Heat’s run to the NBA Finals.
The knocks on Crowder are that he doesn’t rebound or make plays, isn’t a lights-out shooter and doesn’t really have a position.
These things are all true, Crowder averages just 4.1 rebounds per game for his career, doesn’t pass or create off the dribble much and is a 34 percent career 3-point shooter.
But most of the things Crowder does for a team do not show up in the scorecards. He is a big, tough and versatile defender who can body both forward positions and even hold his own against some centers.
He doesn’t require the ball to be effective but can knock down open 3-point shots and has proven he can do it on the biggest stage, as he hit some huge ones for Miami last season.
He would allow Ingram to defend the other team’s weaker wing and would provide the defensive intensity and effort the Pelicans lacked last season.
The only real issue is his salary. Crowder made $7.8 million last season and will probably be looking for one last big contract. He’ll likely move into the $10-12 million per season range depending on the length of the contract.
The Pels could only afford him if they move one of their veteran contracts and clear some cap space but he’d be a nice fit if they could make it happen.