San Antonio Spurs fans may be interested in a recent signing by LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne, a French team owned by Spurs legend Tony Parker. Jae Crowder, a former NBA Finals starter, has signed with the team on a one-year deal. This move comes after Crowder's last NBA stint with the Sacramento Kings during the 2024-25 season, where he played nine regular-season games, averaging 2.6 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 0.7 assists in 11.4 minutes per game.
What happened to Crowder's NBA career?
Crowder's last season in the NBA was the 2024-2025 season, during which he played for the Sacramento Kings. He was 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. He was drafted 34th overall in 2012 and carved out a long career as a valuable "3-and-D" role player, reaching the NBA Finals with both the Miami Heat (2020) and Phoenix Suns (2021), but never won an NBA championship.
Why it matters for San Antonio Spurs
The San Antonio Spurs, who last played the New York Knicks on June 14, 2026, (losing 90-94), may be interested in Crowder's signing as it shows the team's owner, Tony Parker, is still active in the basketball world. Parker, a four-time NBA champion with the Spurs, is the majority owner and president of LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne, having taken over majority control of the French basketball club in 2014. He also took over as the team's head coach in June 2026.
What comes next?
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. Crowder expressed his honest feelings about the current product in the NBA through a post on X early this year, stating that the league is in a "weird place" and that the game has become more like pickup ball. It remains to be seen whether Crowder could find a way back to the NBA, the league many consider the best in the world. With his signing with LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne, Crowder is now 36 years old and perhaps in the final few years of his basketball career.
