18
Jun
Adelaide 36ers
'Three's a Crowder': 36ers courting NBA agitator for NBL27
Jae Crowder #99 of the Sacramento Kings stands during the national anthem before an NBA game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Arena on April 6, 2025 in Cleveland, Ohio. The veteran forward is reportedly in talks with Adelaide to fill the 36ers' final import spot for NBL27 after a 13-year NBA career that included two Finals appearances. Photo: Jason Miller/Getty Images
Highlights
Gleeson is reportedly targeting NBA veteran Jae Crowder to complete Adelaide's roster for NBL27
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Former NBA role player Jae Crowder developed a reputation as a tough 3-and-D wing in 927 regular-season and playoff games in his 13-year career – and in equal measures, fearless in big moments or against the world’s best players.
Code Sports Basketball is reporting that new Adelaide 36ers head coach Trevor Gleeson has identified the soon-to-be 36-year-old, and is negotiating with the 1.98m American forward, to fill the remaining import spot for NBL27.
“Crowder, 35, has emerged as a potential signing, after learning of the virtues of the Australian league while playing alongside former South East Melbourne import Gary Browne and championship-winning Kings Xavier Cooks and Jaylin Galloway with Vaqueros de Bayamon in Puerto Rico, this off-season,” Code Sports reports.
He’s averaged 13.9 points, 5.7 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.3 steals in 27 games in Puerto Rico this season.
American-born six-time MVP Bryce Cotton is now an Australian citizen, which means the 36ers have freed up an import spot alongside Americans Zylan Cheatham and Nick Rakocevic.
Crowder, who turns 36 on July 6, last played in the NBA in the 2024-25 season, ending his career at the Sacramento Kings. He signed with Vaqueros de Bayamon for the 2026 season.
He earned almost USD $72M during his career, racked up more than 60 technical fouls and was fined USD $217,000. His technical foul count isn’t quite at Rasheed Wallace’s level, but a T in every 12 or 13 games is a pretty solid effort.
Gleeson’s 36ers roster is one of the most settled ahead of NBL27, with NBL26 Grand Finalists Cotton, Cheatham, Rakocevic, centre Isaac Humphries and Flynn Cameron all under contract.
They’ve added Sydney Kings champion and defensive stopper Bul Kuol, who is coming off a season-ending knee injury, to a team that came within a defensive rebound in Game 5 of the Grand Final series of winning it all.
Speculation remains that American John Jenkins is also a potential re-signing, but if Gleeson lands Crowder, his return to the City of Churches is dead in the water.
What Crowder would bring to the 36ers
If Adelaide signs Crowder, he wouldn't be arriving to average 20 points a game.
He'd be arriving to make life easier for everyone else.
For a team built around Bryce Cotton and coached by Gleeson, Crowder would bring four things.
1. Defensive toughness
The 36ers lacked a genuine defensive stopper on the wing in NBL26.
Crowder has spent 13 NBA seasons guarding stars ranging from guards to power forwards. At 1.98m and around 107kg, he can defend wings, switch onto bigs and play small-ball power forward.
Gleeson loves versatile defenders. Crowder has made a career out of being one.
2. Championship experience
Crowder has played:
- Two NBA Finals (Miami Heat 2020, Phoenix Suns 2021)
- Eight playoff campaigns
- More than 100 playoff games
- Alongside stars including LeBron James, Chris Paul, Jimmy Butler and Jayson Tatum.
The 36ers already have Cotton as the offensive alpha. Crowder would bring an elite, experienced second voice in the locker room – someone who has seen what championship environments look like.
3. Physicality and edge
Crowder has never been afraid of confrontation.
His reputation in the NBA is that of an agitator – the guy opponents hate playing against, but teammates love having beside them. That mentality would be invaluable in the NBL.
Adelaide already has:
- Bryce Cotton – elite scorer
- Isaac Humphries – interior presence
- Zylan Cheatham – energy and athleticism
- Trevor Gleeson — five-time championship coach.
Crowder would add the swagger and nastiness that championship teams often possess.
4. Floor spacing
Even at 36, Crowder remains a credible shooter.
For his career, he averages:
- 9.3 points
- 4.2 rebounds
- 34.7% from three
- 812 NBA games
Defences wouldn't be able to leave him alone in the corners while loading up on Cotton.
The fit
The biggest question isn't talent. It's age. But NBA players are built different and there’s no need to look any further than the Sydney Kings’ NBL26 X-Factor Torrey Craig.
Crowder is exactly the type of import Gleeson has historically loved:
- Tough
- Defensive-minded
- Positionally versatile
- High basketball IQ
- Comfortable playing a role
A starting lineup of Bryce Cotton, Flynn Cameron, Jae Crowder, Zylan Cheatham and Isaac Humphries would instantly become one of the most experienced and physically imposing groups in the league.
And perhaps most importantly, Crowder would give Adelaide something every contender needs:
A player who doesn't care about being liked – only about winning.
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