Jamal Crawford Trade Rumors: Latest Buzz and Speculation on Clippers Guard
Jamal Crawford isn't slated to become an unrestricted free agent until the summer of 2016, but several recent reports suggest he wouldn't mind switching teams before then.
Crawford is reportedly interested in joining the Cleveland Cavaliers, while the New York Knicks are also looking at acquiring the shooting guard.
Continue for updates.
Knicks Have 'Expressed Interest' in Crawford
Tuesday, Aug. 18
Frank Isola of the New York Daily News passed along word of New York's interest in the Clippers guard, citing a source.
Crawford Would 'Definitely' Like to Join Cavaliers
Friday, Aug. 7
According to Northeast Ohio Media Group's Chris Haynes, speaking during Sports Insider, Crawford would be interested in joining the Cleveland Cavaliers.
"I know Jamal personally, and I know he would definitely like to be a part of the Cavaliers organization," Haynes said.
Haynes added: "Jamal is one guy off the top of my head that I know would be a fit, and I know that they’ll be looking at him. They want to use that exception for a wing player."
This isn't the first time Crawford has been connected to the reigning Eastern Conference champions. Back on July 6, ESPN.com's Marc Stein reported the Cavaliers and Brooklyn Nets briefly discussed a trade that would have sent Brendan Haywood's non-guaranteed deal to the Los Angeles Clippers in exchange for the veteran microwave scorer.
However, those talks fell through, and Haywood was ultimately dealt to the Portland Trail Blazers in return for two trade exceptions worth $10.5 million and $2.85 million, respectively, per Haynes.
Haynes' comments come on the heels of Crawford tweeting on July 17 that he aspired to be a free agent:
At present, the Cavaliers still have a situation to address regarding wing depth. J.R. Smith previously declined a $6.4 million player option for the 2015-16 season, and he's still lingering on the open market as an unrestricted free agent.
According to Fox Sports' Sam Amico, the Cavaliers have maintained interest in re-signing Smith and are willing to let the market set his value.
But even if the Cavs do bring Smith back, Pro Basketball Talk's Dan Feldman noted Crawford could stand to help Cleveland's explosive offense.
"If Smith returns, Crawford is even more of a luxury as another shooter," Feldman wrote. "With the attention LeBron, Irving and Love attract, Cleveland can always use more spot-up threats. Mo Williams filled the Cavaliers’ major need for an off-the-bench shot creator. The 35-year-old Crawford has declined in that regard, but there’s at least hope he could provide a little insurance."
| Isaiah Thomas (PHX/BOS) | 16.3 | 42.0 | 37.4 | 20.6 |
| Jamal Crawford (LAC) | 16.8 | 39.8 | 32.4 | 16.6 |
| Lou Williams (TOR) | 15.5 | 40.4 | 34.0 | 19.9 |
| Ryan Anderson (NOP) | 13.7 | 41.2 | 34.5 | 15.6 |
| Gerald Green (PHX) | 11.9 | 42.3 | 36.0 | 15.4 |
During his third full season with the Clippers, the 35-year-old Crawford averaged 15.8 points on 39.6 percent shooting from the field and 32.7 percent shooting from three as the team's sixth man. The Clippers were also 3.4 points worse per 100 offensive possessions with Crawford on the floor last season, per NBA.com.
But regardless of Crawford's dwindling effectiveness, the Clippers shouldn't be in a rush to part with the aging volume scorer. L.A. finally has the pieces necessary to compete for a title after retaining DeAndre Jordan and adding depth in the form of Paul Pierce, Josh Smith and Lance Stephenson to assist superstars Chris Paul and Blake Griffin.
With one year and a little over $5.6 million remaining on Crawford's deal, per Spotrac, the Clippers can take a wait-and-see approach to dealing the two-time Sixth Man of the Year award winner and gauge the market for his expiring contract as the season progresses.
