Is Crowder being moved so everyone else can stay?

[HomerSapien]

We are far too negative on Crowder of late on these forums and too eager to show him the exit. With that said, of him, Bradley, and Smart, I'd prefer he goes.

First, that contract is valuable and should be able to fetch something valuable in a trade. Not sure about Bradley or Smart's expiring deals.

Second, beyond this season I'm not sure how much of a role Crowder has on this team. By the start of next year we'll have at Crowder's position: 1) one of the best SFs in the game in Hayward, 2) Jaylen Brown entering his 3rd season, and 3) Jayson Tatum entering his 2nd season. If you want to re-sign IT (and maybe one of Bradley or Smart) in the offseason, you can't have two lottery picks as your backup small forwards, plus another guy. Even though Crowder's cheap for the player that he is, that's not an efficient allocation of resources.

Third, Crowder is not big or physical enough to play heavy minutes at the 4, especially alongside an undersized 5 in Horford. Eventually I'd like to see Tatum put on some muscle and play that position, even if it's not full time.

Fourth, and this is the most important... Crowder is not the same defender that he was in his first couple years in Boston. I don't think it's related to effort or falling in love with his offense. It's probably more related to his ankle injuries. Who knows. All I can tell you is that his defensive reputation is better than his actual defensive prowess at this point.

Lastly... Crowder has some major "dog" in him. I couldn't care less that he's been salty on Twitter and takes everything personal. He's highly competitive, accountable, and by all accounts a team player. Every team needs Crowders. You'd definitely miss that attitude, but then again, you'd miss it even more if you lost Smart instead.

TP.  I agree completely with this assessment.  Also, add Semi Ojeleye's presence as yet another member of the crowd at Jae Crowder's position.  Jae is the right piece to move now, as difficult as it is to swallow losing anyone from our existing roster.

[jay]

With Bradley being moved for Morris, this same idea could work. As far as Yabusele, the guy on twitter thinks it's possible he was promised he would be brought over and they don't want to go back on that.

IT.  Rozier. Jackson
Hayward. Smart
Crowder  Brown
Morris  Tatum. Yabusele
Horford. Theis Zizic.  Mickey

That leaves one roster spot to used the room exception or a minimum salary.  I would still like to see Gerald Green brought back at a minimum salary. If they decide to use the room exception on a frontcourt player, they could always waive Mickey. However, if they bring in another forward, and keep Crowder, it's going to be tough to find minutes for Tatum.  They may decide to roll with what they have so Tatum and Brown can get enough playing time.

[jay]

Morris and Crowder starting really spaces the floor for GH and IT. Morris is a career 35.5% shooter from 3. His % dropped off last year because he took so many of them. He will be able to pick his spots and shoot a much better % with IT and GH drawing so much attention.  Crowder was below average 3 pt shooter until last year.

Check out the 2nd unit  - Good gracious they can get up and down the court.

Rozier  Smart  Brown  Tatum  Theis 

[SparzWizard]

Crowder is moved because (a) he's obsolete, and (b) he's got attitude issues.

How is he obsolete?  He's a guy who defends well at 3 positions and can hit the 3 at a good percentage.  That's not obsolete in today's NBA.  And how much do we really know about his "attitude" issues?

Getting shut down by Lebron James in the playoffs and clanking his shots made me view that he's lost a lot of value.