Boston Celtics: Grading The Offseason
Watch Me Ainge, Now Watch Me Jae Jae
With the salary cap expanding the way that it is, Jae Crowder‘s five-year, $35 million deal was quite possibly the most cost-effective move Ainge pulled off all summer. After all, paying $7 million a year for a 25-year-old swingman who came to life once he joined the team is a pretty team-friendly proposition.
In 57 games with the Celtics last year, Crowder averaged 9.5 points and 4.6 rebounds per game — both career bests. He only shot 41.8 percent from the field and an ugly 28.2 percent from three-point range, but he’s a promising 3-and-D player in the making because of his defensive abilities.
Jae Crowder said his knee, injured in Boston’s playoff finale, is 100 percent healthy. "I could play tomorrow if I wanted.”
— Chris Forsberg (@ChrisForsberg_) July 27, 2015
The Celtics won’t need him to log time as a small-ball 4, but Crowder depending on how adventurous Stevens gets, he does have some experience playing there from his college days. In any case, Crowder will be a serviceable two-way player with a lot to offer down the road when the Celts have improved the roster and can use him in a more limited, specified role.
Even if he somehow fails to live up to his value, the Celtics (once again) did a great job re-signing a piece that could be used in a future trade to a modest price.
Grade: B
Next: The More The Perry-er