Knicks Rumors: Jamal Crawford Would Be Perfect Fit for Run-and-Gun Knicks

The New York Knicks may have been unable to get in on the Chris Paul sweepstakes, but that hasn't stopped them from improving their team. Not only have they signed center Tyson Chandler, but they may be on the verge of acquiring free-agent shooting guard Jamal Crawford as well.

In order to acquire Crawford, the Knicks would have to engage in a three-team sign-and-trade deal involving themselves, the Atlanta Hawks and the Golden State Warriors, according to Marc Berman of the New York Post.

According to a league source, the deal has a "better than 50-50 chance" of going down, but the hang up is that the Knicks are reluctant to include guard Toney Douglas in the deal. The only way to acquire Crawford is through a sign-and-trade deal, however, since the Knicks don't have enough to sign him outright as a free agent.

With that said, the Knicks have to do everything in their power to acquire Crawford. Over a five-season stretch, Crawford was a high-volume scorer for the Knicks, and he has continued that trend off the bench for the Hawks.

Crawford may very well be the most prolific scorer remaining on the open market, and his skill set meshes perfectly with head coach Mike D'Antoni's run-and-gun offense. Not only could he reprise his role as a dangerous sixth man, but he could even run the point a bit, as his ball-handling skills are above average.

If the trade is either Douglas or bust, then I think New York should consider parting with the young combo guard. The Knicks have already signed veteran point guard Mike Bibby as an insurance policy, and while he isn't an ideal starter at this point in his career, he can still eat up minutes and play quality basketball.

Regardless of whether Douglas stays or not, the point guard position isn't going to be ideal. Because of that, the Knicks might as well pursue a legitimate scorer who happens to be a perfect fit. Ultimately, I believe Crawford makes the Knicks a better team than Douglas, although acquiring Crawford without giving up Douglas would obviously be ideal.

Say what you will about Crawford hurting the Knicks defensively, but Chandler should certainly lock things down in the paint, while rookie Iman Shumpert will give the Knicks a legitimate lock-down defender to play against the opposition's best player late in games.

There would certainly be some risk involved by giving up the prospective starting point guard for a player that would probably come off the bench, but Crawford would likely play starter's minutes and take a lot of the scoring pressure off Carmelo Anthony and Amare Stoudemire.