NBA Rumors: Clippers Should Target Jamal Crawford and Avoid Ray Allen

The Los Angeles Clippers need to set their trade target sights on the Blazers' Jamal Crawford. He is a good fit and bargain, and Lob City is definitely on the lookout for another guard. 

They've had that need since Chauncey Billups was lost for the season with an Achilles injury. 

At the moment, the Clippers seem to be focusing on two players: Ray Allen and Crawford. Allen is a great player, and his shooting ability would make him a nice fit anywhere, but he is not the better option here. 

We'll get to the why in a moment, but first let's take a gander at the rumors. 

The Rumors

Alex Kennedy HoopsWorld dishes on the Clippers' interest in guards. 

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The Clippers have expressed interest in Ray Allen and Jamal Crawford, according to sources.

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Okay, that's not surprising, which makes the rumor believable.

Assessing the Cost

To fully appreciate why Crawford is the better option we have to see what it would cost to acquire these two. Here is Kennedy to tell us why Crawford is readily available. 

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The Portland Trail Blazers may look to move Crawford at some point over the next ten days. Sources close to the situation say that Crawford will opt-out of the final year of his contract to test free agency this summer. Rather than losing him for nothing this offseason, Portland may decide to deal him. 

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Chad Ford of ESPN steps up to give us a feel for what the Blazers are looking for in return for Crawford. 

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Crawford can opt out of his deal this summer so he won't cost much. I think the Blazers and Wolves are talking about a swap for [Luke] Ridnour.

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It is going to take more to land Allen. Sam Amick of SI.com gives us a taste of what the Celtics are looking for. 

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Sources say the Clippers are interested [in Allen]....

But the price is likely too high, as Boston wants a package that includes a young talent and a draft pick. The Clippers don't have the latter component, though, and there's a bit of irony involved as to why.

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If these rumors are true, the Clippers would just have to make a more enticing offer than Luke Ridnour to snag Crawford. Randy Foye and one of their young guards might do the trick.

That trade package isn't even going to get a call back from the Celtics. So the first battle goes to Crawford.

Here is the second half of the battle. 

Allen vs. Crawford

Allen is the older player, but that doesn't matter for this scenario. They are both likely going to be free agents at the end of the year, which means this is a trade for this season. So throw age out of the equation. 

With Ray Allen, the Clippers would get three-point shooting—epically good, silky-smooth three-point shooting. Allen is hitting a sterling career-best 47.8 percent from three-point range this season.

He is also averaging 14.9 points per game. 

Allen is an average defender and a decent ball handler, but those skills have taken more of a hit with age than his shooting. 

Now, let's look at what the Clippers will get with Crawford. 

Crawford is a good outside shooter in his own right. He's not Allen-good or anything, but solid. He is hitting 36 percent of his threes this year. 

Crawford is far better at creating his own shot than Allen. He is an outstanding ball handler and can get to the lane easily. He is averaging 14.5 points per game this season in just under 27 minutes a night. 

Defensively, he and Allen are about on par, but that isn't all. There is one more factor in Crawford's corner.

He can play point or shooting guard. He is an excellent ball handler. He has a nice mid-range game, can dish when he has to, and can run the offense. 

While the Clippers primarily need the minutes at shooting guard, this flexibility would be a nice luxury. Crawford would add scoring and versatility to the Clippers, and LA is not desperate for three-point shooting.

Throw in all of that, and the fact he will cost less to add to the roster, and Crawford is easily the better fit.