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Knicks Trade Rumors: Five Reasons To Trade For Jae Crowder

By Maxwell Ogden

Feb 2, 2016; New York, NY, USA; Boston Celtics forward Jae Crowder (99) drives to the basket past New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony (7) during the second half of an NBA basketball game at Madison Square Garden. The Celtics defeated the Knicks 97-89. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 2, 2016; New York, NY, USA; Boston Celtics forward Jae Crowder (99) drives to the basket past New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony (7) during the second half of an NBA basketball game at Madison Square Garden. The Celtics defeated the Knicks 97-89. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 25, 2016; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony (7) shoots the ball against Boston Celtics forward Jae Crowder (99) during the second half at Madison Square Garden. The Celtics won 119-114. Mandatory Credit: Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 25, 2016; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony (7) shoots the ball against Boston Celtics forward Jae Crowder (99) during the second half at Madison Square Garden. The Celtics won 119-114. Mandatory Credit: Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Defensive Value

The New York Knicks need nothing more than significant improvement on the defensive end of the floor. In 2016-17, the Knicks ranked No. 23 in the NBA in points per game and No. 25 in points allowed per 100 possessions.

Carmelo Anthony wasn’t the specific reason for the team’s struggles, but Jae Crowder would provide an undeniable improvement on that end of the floor.

Anthony finished the 2016-17 season at No. 73 amongst small forwards and No. 418 overall in Defensive Real Plus-Minus. New York allowed 111.1 points per 100 possessions with him on the court and 104.7 points per 100 possessions without him.

By comparison, Crowder ranked No. 16 amongst small forwards and No. 75 in the NBA in Defensive Real Plus-Minus.

Crowder may not be the same caliber of scorer as Anthony, but the defensive divide is just as vast, if not more so. In a league where defense takes precedence over isolation scoring ability, adding Crowder would be a savvy decision.

New York would need to find a go-to isolation scorer for the playoffs, but defense will help it get there—something it hasn’t done since 2013.

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