The tough Milwaukee Bucks just got tougher and this is their updated depth chart

From the moment Jae Crowder told the Suns he no longer wants to wear their jersey to the moment he was left out of the Phoenix team, the Bucks have singled him out as one of their top transfer targets. They wanted it, they knew how to use it, they just waited for the right moment to “strike”. And that opportune moment came on Thursday morning (9/2) when the Suns sent the veteran winger to the Nets along with Cam Johnson and Michael Bridges for Kevin Durant and TJ Warren.

In Brooklyn they didn’t count on Crowder as they enter a rebuilding phase and somehow the Bucks stepped in and sent Jordan Nuora over to the Pacers who helped close the deal and achieve the goal they had set out to do. To get even harder and find the player they’ve been missing since PJ Tucker left Milwaukee.

What will Crowder give the money to?

At 32 on the way to 33, Crowder is still in a productive phase. He has played for the Dallas Mavericks, Boston Celtics, Cleveland Cavaliers, Utah Jazz, Memphis Grizzlies, Miami Heat and Phoenix Suns, made the playoffs nine times (107 games averaging 29.9 minutes) and is an incredibly competitive character who The one that GM John Horst and head coach Mike Budenholzer built in Milwaukee fits him perfectly.

It’s currently unclear if Crowder will take Grayson Allen’s place in the starting blocks or if he’s stuck in a seventh and eighth role behind Bobby Portis and Pat Connaughton when the latter is ousted by Khris Middleton. What is certain is that the Bucks have a body that can take on certain opponents in the Eastern Conference playoffs like Jaylen Brown – Jayson Tatum of the Celtics, James Harden of the Sixers, Donovan Mitchell of the Cavaliers, Jimmy Butler of the Heat.

In addition to the energy and toughness he will bring to defense, Crowder will also play an important role on offense. He’s not Tucker, who should have no problem going 30 minutes without a shot, finding spaces and being efficient, which he hasn’t consistently done in his NBA career. If he can run 38-39% from the perimeter, he’s done his job to the max.

The Milwaukee Bucks’ updated depth chart:

PG: Jrue Holiday, Jevon Carter
SG: Grayson Allen, Pat Connaughton, Wesley Matthews, AJ Green
SF: Chris Middleton, Jae Crowder, Joe Ingles, Marjon Beauchamp
PF: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Thanasis Antetokounmpo, Sandro Mamoukelashvili
C: Brooke Lopez, Bobby Portis

With Crowder on the list, George Hill, Jordan Nuwara and Serge Ibaka left, who weren’t expected anyway.

Now Horst – Budenholzer have to fill two open squad positions, which is expected to happen after the release of the players and the filling of the free agent pool. A supplemental point guard and a tall one will be needed, with the New York Knicks’ Derrick Rose also considered a target for several weeks.

DJ Augustin, Ben McLemore, Bryn Forbes, Carmelo Anthony, Hassan Whiteside and Goga Bitatje are currently free agents and ten-day contracts are likely to be used before a decision is made on who completes the playoff list. . Unless Green-Mamukelasvili sees his contracts guaranteed, which is very likely, especially for the former thanks to his long-range shot.

After all, the Bucks are chasing the top spot in the Eastern Conference and all that entails. Right now, as of Thursday night (9/2), they are 37-17 second to the Boston Celtics, who are 39-16.