5 free agents the Cavaliers should avoid at all costs this summer

No. 4 free agent to avoid – Jae Crowder, Milwaukee Bucks

Jae Crowder was one of the hottest names on the trade market this season, as everyone knew he would be traded. He held out for a better role and didn’t play in any of the Phoenix Suns’ games this year, but he was viewed around the league as an instant rotation player available via trade.

There was competition to land him, but ultimately the Milwaukee Bucks traded five first-round picks to the Brooklyn Nets, who routed Crowder to Wisconsin after he was included in the Kevin Durant – Mikal Bridges trade. What did Crowder do in Milwaukee? A whole lot of nothing. Crowder played just 41 minutes and missed every 3-pointer he took.

Crowder will now hit free agency and presumably be gettable for the right price. When the Bucks traded for him it seemed fait accompli he would be retained, but he played so poorly that’s now up in the air. Given all of the moving parts and financial burdens, the Bucks could let him walk.

If so, the Cavaliers need to stay away. The idea of Crowder is intriguing, a combo forward with size, good defensive chops and a willingness to shoot from outside at high volume. The problem is that Crowder is streaky as a shooter, streaky with his effort and not someone the Cavs can rely on. Given that he will command most or all of the Full Mid-Level Exception (MLE) and the Cavs need to stay away.