5 bold predictions for the upcoming 2023 NBA Trade Deadline
By Dalton Sell
The 2023 NBA Trade Deadline is less than one month away, and things are shaping up to be hectic this year, given the current state of the rumor mill.
Several high-end teams across the association will be looking to bulk up their rosters while others look to sell, and the result could be one of the busiest deadlines in recent memory. What separates this year from previous years may be the sheer number of household names mentioned in rumors.
Plenty of recognizable names could be on the move within the next month, which could drastically shake up the current title chase and move several new teams to the forefront of the conversation. With all of that said, here are five bold predictions for the 2023 NBA Trade Deadline.
2023 NBA Trade Deadline Bold Prediction No. 1 – The Jae Crowder saga ends with him being dealt to the Milwaukee Bucks
Whether it was because of a contract dispute, displeasure with his role, a disagreement with the coaching staff, or whatever else, Jae Crowder made it very clear he wanted a fresh start after he requested a trade from the Phoenix Suns before the season.
To this point, the Suns have yet to grant Crowder his wish, as they have kept the forward on the roster while he remains away from the team. It seems inevitable that Crowder will be dealt, and the Milwaukee Bucks remain the one team that has seemingly expressed the most interest.
The Bucks have been interested in Crowder from the beginning, and they were seemingly close to landing him recently. Per The Athletic’s Shams Charania (Subscription required), the Bucks nearly acquired Crowder in a three-team deal with the Suns and Houston Rockets. However, Houston prevented the deal because they wanted more draft capital.
Action Network’s insider Matt Moore reported that league sources would not be surprised to see another iteration of that deal happen before the deadline. The Bucks remain the most persistent Crowder suitor, and it would not be a surprise in the slightest if they acquired him.
Milwaukee’s interest in Crowder is justified. As one of the best defensive teams in the league, the Bucks are always in the hunt for more defensive aces, and Crowder fits the profile. The veteran is a 6-foot-6 power forward who is capable of defending multiple positions at a high level, meaning he would be a perfect fit alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jrue Holiday, and more.
The Bucks are in the hunt for a big wing defender they can throw at elite scorers like Kevin Durant or Jayson Tatum, and all signs point to them thinking Crowder can be their guy. The Bucks will almost certainly continue to explore avenues to get Crowder on their roster soon.