The once-struggling Jae Crowder has found his form again as a member of the Utah Jazz

By Yash Bhika

On Feb. 8, 2018 the Utah Jazz executed a trade with the Cleveland Cavaliers that sent Rodney Hood to the Cavaliers and Jae Crowder and Derrick Rose to the Jazz. At the time of the trade, Utah was riding a seven-game winning streak. Once the trade finalized, the Jazz got a player who was struggling to acclimate himself into Cleveland’s system.

Crowder’s points per game total, 3-point percentage, field goal percentage and assists were all lower while he was in Cleveland compared to his previous season with the Boston Celtics, according to Basketball Reference. However, with all the negativity surrounding his play in Cleveland, Utah took a chance on the 6-foot-6 small forward in hopes that he could rekindle some of the magic he had while in a Celtics uniform.

That risk has for now paid off for Utah. Crowder is currently averaging 12.4 points per game and 1.7 assists. He is jacking up more 3’s and is shooting 33.3 percent from beyond the arc during his spell with the Jazz.

During a recent 13-game stretch, Utah won 11 contests and only dropped games against the struggling Atlanta Hawks and the San Antonio Spurs. In that run, Crowder is averaging 12.1 points per game and is shooting 31.3 percent from the 3-point line. In a game against the Memphis Grizzlies, he went 6-of-11 from three.

Even though his numbers don’t jump out of the box score like a Donovan Mitchell or a Joe Ingles, Crowder gives Utah an assurance option off the bench. Since arriving at Utah, Crowder has come off the bench, but his minutes played are similar to all the starters. Ingles, who plays in Crowder’s position, averages 31.5 minutes a game, compared to Crowder, who comes in at 29.4 per game.

Crowder’s contributions for Utah have become vitally important for its playoff run.