NBA Trade Rumors: Could the Timberwolves Have Their Eyes on Jamal Crawford?

One player that could be made available in potential trade talks as the deadline nears is veteran guard Jamal Crawford, currently of the Portland Trail Blazers. Crawford was signed as a free agent during the offseason after spending two years with the Atlanta Hawks.

With the Trail Blazers losing some steam after starting the season on a tear, Portland could be looking to make some changes. Head coach Nate McMillan has recently come under fire, and there is a reasonable chance that he may not return next season.

The chances of losing Crawford, Gerald Wallace, Marcus Camby Nicolas Batum and Raymond Felton through free agency are very possible, and the Trail Blazers could look to make some moves before the trade deadline in order to acquire some assets in return for these players, rather than risk losing them for nothing in the offseason.

One team that has been looking to add a shooting guard to their roster is the Minnesota Timberwolves, who are poised to build a competitive team around All-Star Kevin Love and rookies Ricky Rubio and Derrick Williams.

According to Timberwolves reporter Jerry Zgoda of the Minneapolis Star Tribune, Crawford would be an interesting acquisition for the Timberwolves.

Crawford can handle the ball and is a taller hybrid guard that can really shoot the basketbal,l as he has shown throughout his NBA career. Such a move would also allow guard Luke Ridnour to play at the point guard spot rather than shooting guard, which he has been doing this season.

If such a move were to take place, the Timberwolves would most likely have to part with Michael Beasley. If the Timberwolves were also able to get their hands on Gerald Wallace, that would also make them more athletic, as a lineup of Rubio, Crawford, Wallace and Love would be an interesting one to watch.

Things could get a little more interesting as the trade deadline looms.