Sacramento Kings close to deal with free agent Jae Crowder

Nov 26, 2024, 2:52 PM | Updated: 3:27 pm

Lead Editor & Kings Beat Writer

The Sacramento Kings have dealt with several injuries during the early stages of the regular season, and with Trey Lyles’ status currently unclear, general manager Monte McNair has reportedly made a move to shore up the team’s forward depth.

According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, the Kings are nearing an agreement with free agent forward and longtime NBA veteran Jae Crowder.

Crowder, 34, played 50 games with the Milwaukee Bucks last season, where he averaged 6.2 points, 3.2 rebounds, 1.3 assists, and 0.8 steals on 42.2 percent from the field, 34.9 percent from three, and 72.2 percent on free throws.

Having spent 12 seasons in the NBA, Crowder has been a significant member of multiple deep playoff runs and is known for his tenacious defense and efforts on the floor.

Free agent forward Jae Crowder is close to a deal with the Sacramento Kings, sources tell ESPN. At 8-10 and dealing with some injuries, Kings are working to add frontcourt depth with the 13-year NBA veteran who has made two Finals appearances since 2020. pic.twitter.com/1uQP9xNZcy

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) November 26, 2024

Details on Crowder’s deal with Sacramento are currently unclear–as is his status for Wednesday’s game in Minnesota–but it’s fair to expect that he will be on the veteran’s minimum.

The Kings’ signing of Crowder aligns with the news that Sacramento will also be without forward Trey Lyles (right calf strain) for three to four weeks, meaning that the longtime wing could find himself being firmly in the rotation upon joining his new team.

Six-time All-Star forward DeMar DeRozan (lower back muscle inflammation) will also be sidelined for the Kings on Wednesday night in Minnesota.

When is the next Sacramento Kings game?

Sacramento will hit the road for a brief two-game trip that will begin on Wednesday night in Minnesota against Anthony Edwards and the Timberwolves.

Minnesota will be playing on the second night of a back-to-back after facing the Houston Rockets on Tuesday at the Target Center.

Be sure to catch all of the Kings vs. T-Wolves action right here on Sactown Sports 1140 AM, with pregame coverage starting at 2:00 PM PT on The Drive Guys before action tips off at 5:00 PM PT from Minneapolis.