Crowder Hopes To Recruit Some Friends To Play In Utah

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Known as one of the most well-liked players among other players in the NBA, Utah Jazz forward Jae Crowder plans on recruiting some top-tier talent this summer.

“I’ll recruit,” said Crowder with a laugh at the Jazz’s end of year media availability following the team’s elimination from the playoffs. “I got a lot of friends in the NBA, so I’ll recruit. I’ll do my job obviously with that and hopefully bring some top-level players here to help us win.”

In today’s modern age, recruiting and bringing in friends to play on a team together has become an integral approaching to building strong units. LeBron James’ decision to join the Miami Heat and play with his buddy, Dwyane Wade back in 2010 is the most well-known example of this movement.

Jae Crowder steals it and scores through contact! #NBAPlayoffs #TakeNote 51#RunAsOne 47

📺: @NBAonTNT pic.twitter.com/c0KuS3siay

— NBA (@NBA) April 23, 2019

While bringing in top free agents has always been a challenge for the small-market Jazz, taking advantage of the relationships that players like Crowder have with other stars may the team’s best chance at landing an impactful player.

Crowder has already been sold on the Jazz organization and now feels the responsibility to communicate what the franchise has to offer to his friends who may be looking for a new place to play.

“I’m definitely going to do my part and that’s talking to guys and telling them what the organization and what the team is all about,” said Crowder.

Jae Crowder came out cooking in the 1st half:

18 PTS
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— Bleacher Report NBA (@BR_NBA) April 23, 2019

As for what his sales pitch will be, Crowder says it all starts with winning.

“If you want to win obviously, we have a lot of guys who can win,” said Crowder. “Guys who really get along with one another and really buys into the team.”

Crowder also calls the lack of egos in the Jazz locker room “special,” as the players don’t bicker or care about who’s getting what in terms of touches and opportunities.

The Golden State Warriors have become the NBA’s model franchise as far as team-building goes, and Crowder sees similarities between what the two-time defending champs have accomplished and what the Jazz are trying to be.

“I think we’re trying to get that over here, is just playing a free-flowing type of game, knowing that anybody on the court can hurt you at any time,” said Crowder.

The NBA’s free agency period begins on July 1 at 12:01 a.m. Eastern time.