According to Kurt Helin of NBC Sports, new Cleveland Cavalier wing Jae Crowder revealed in his introductory press conference that prior to being traded by the Boston Celtics, he already had concerns about his place in the Beantown team’s crowded wing rotation.
“I had a little concern because we had a lot of wing players stacked up. I was a little concerned, and I made it clear to the organization that I was concerned about it and I just wanted some more direction, you know? I think they gave it to me with the trade. They gave me what they wanted to do. They showed me what they wanted to do. I respected it.”
The Celtics certainly stocked up on a bunch of wing players this summer. Despite already having Jae Crowder, Jaylen Brown, Avery Bradley, and Marcus Smart on the roster, Danny Ainge went out and added Gordon Hayward, Jayson Tatum, and Semi Ojeleye, then traded Bradley for Marcus Morris, a big man who, at times, can play the three position.
It would’ve been difficult for Celtics head coach Brad Stevens to find sufficient minutes for all of those players that would keep everyone happy. As it turns out, Ainge managed to avoid that problem by removing Crowder from their crowded rotation.
Luckily for Jae Crowder, he now goes from that situation in Boston where he might’ve seen his minutes reduced, to the Cavaliers where he is expected to play a significant role playing alongside LeBron James in various lineups next season.