Portland Trail Blazers Trade Rumors: Blazers Should Not Deal Jamal Crawford

The Portland Trail Blazers recently emerged as possible big players before the March 15 NBA trade deadline, but it would be in their best interest to hold onto shooting guard Jamal Crawford. 

Currently two games out of eighth place in the Western Conference, the Trail Blazers are still in the hunt for the postseason. Dealing Crawford away would all but guarantee that they would be missing out on the playoffs. 

He's a strong scorer that does a lot for the team, and that is why they have to keep him. The Trail Blazers signed him during the offseason, hoping he would help lead them to greatness.

While Crawford hasn't been amazing or anything, he is still a top-notch player that can take Portland far. 

According to Yannis Koutroupis of HOOPSWORLD, Portland is drawing interest from multiple teams. 

"

Sources confirm to HOOPSWORLD that Crawford, who was signed as an unrestricted free agent this offseason to be retired shooting guard Brandon Roy’s replacement, is on several teams' radar.

The Los Angeles Clippers and Minnesota Timberwolves are pursuing him the strongest, but the Sacramento Kings, Toronto Raptors and Milwaukee Bucks have also expressed interest.

"

While Crawford would certainly thrive on any of those teams, the Blazers wouldn't be getting equal value in return for him. 

Sure, he doesn't play superb defense, something head coach Nate McMillan would prefer. However, Crawford is a very skilled shooter; Portland would be lost without him. 

Chris Haynes of the CSNNW.com reports that the Blazers are also getting interest in Raymond Felton. 

If Portland is going to make a move, that is the one to do. Felton has underachieved this year, and getting rid of him over Crawford is the much smarter decision. 

There is still a lot of basketball left to be played. The Blazers can easily contend from here on out, but dealing Crawford away would be very detrimental to the team. 

Just because the first half of the season didn't go as well as the team expected doesn't mean Portland needs to trade one of its best players. The Blazers need to work with what they've got and keep fighting for that playoff spot.