Jae Crowder, a former Phoenix Suns NBA Finals starter, has signed with Tony Parker's LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne, a French team, on a one-year deal. This move comes after Crowder played for the Sacramento Kings in the 2024-25 season, where he averaged 2.6 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 0.7 assists in 11.4 minutes per game.
What Happened?
Crowder's contract with LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne is set to be a one-year deal, two seasons after he left the NBA. Tony Parker, a four-time NBA champion with the San Antonio Spurs, is the majority owner and president of LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne, having taken over majority control of the French basketball club in 2014.
Why It Matters For Phoenix Suns
The Phoenix Suns, who last played the Oklahoma City Thunder on 2026-04-28, resulting in a 122-131 loss, have seen their recent form slump with 1 win, 0 draws, and 4 losses in their last 5 games. Crowder's move to LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne may not directly impact the Suns, but it shows the ongoing movement of players in the NBA and international leagues.
What Comes Next?
In the team, Crowder will be teammates with former NBA player Patty Mills alongside Joel Bolomboy, Myles Cale, Marc-Owen Fodzo Dada, Both Gach, Edwin Jackson, Bodian Massa, Yves Pons, and Nate Sestina. After his final NBA stint with the Sacramento Kings during the 2024-25 season, Crowder transitioned to international leagues such as Puerto Rico, where he played for Baloncesto Superior Nacional (BSN). He played through the 2026 regular season, earning a BSN All-Star selection, before being released in July 2026 ahead of the playoffs.
Crowder played 13 seasons for nine different teams, including the Dallas Mavericks, Boston Celtics, Cleveland Cavaliers, Utah Jazz, Memphis Grizzlies, Miami Heat, Phoenix Suns, Milwaukee Bucks, and Sacramento Kings. His last season in the NBA was the 2024-2025 season, during which he played nine regular-season games for the Kings after signing with them in November 2024.
Jae Crowder expressed his honest feelings about the current product in the NBA through a post on X early this year, writing in all caps about the game's 'weird' look when he is watching NBA games. Crowder did not specify which games triggered him to post his sentiments on social media. At the time, Crowder had been dabbling in international basketball, bouncing around Europe to play with various overseas teams.
Crowder is now 36 years old and perhaps in the final few years of his basketball career. It remains to be seen whether he could find a way back to the NBA, the league many consider the best in the entire world. The Phoenix Suns, with their recent form of 1W-0D-4L, will look to bounce back from their loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder, and Crowder's move to LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne will be an interesting storyline to follow in the world of basketball.
