Knicks Rumors: Why Jamal Crawford Shouldn't Look Anywhere Else but New York

As one of the best guards available on the free-agent market, Jamal Crawford is being coveted by a number of teams, but if he were smart he'd take less money and join the New York Knicks. 

Crawford has been in the league for 11 years now, and if he is ever going to win a championship, it's not going to be with the Indiana Pacers or the Minnesota Timberwolves. 

Getting the chance to play with Carmelo Anthony, Amar'e Stoudemire and Tyson Chandler is a fantastic opportunity, but Crawford may let greed get in the way. 

The New York Post reports that the Knicks are offering Crawford $2.5 million, and if they don't get him their hope is to land Baron Davis.

That is far less than the $10 million he was offered by the Pacers, according to ESPN's Marc Stein. He also wrote that the Timberwolves could outbid the Pacers, although Crawford shouldn't want to play with either of those teams. 

It appears he wised up and turned down the Pacers, and according to Sam Amick of Sports Illustrated, Crawford's top three choices now are New York, Portland and Sacramento.

Portland's offer is for $5 million and Sacramento is for $6.5 million.  

The Kings already have a number of guards, so expect the Knicks or the Trail Blazers to land Crawford. 

While Portland would also be a good destination for Crawford, his best chance of winning is in New York, and that's why he needs to take less money and play for them. 

Jason Quick of The Oregonian reports that Crawford is only looking for a two-year deal that has the option to leave after the first. 

Next summer, more teams will have better salary cap space, which means Crawford could finally get his mega payday. 

The lockout didn't help him, nor did the fact that last year was one of the worst in his career. Still, he performed well in the clutch for the Atlanta Hawks, and he'll do the same for New York if he chooses it. 

The Knicks' offer isn't very lucrative, but when looking at who he'd be playing with it definitely makes up for it. New York would be loaded with talent in the starting rotation, and the Knicks would certainly be able to put together a run toward the championship.

However, if making money is what Crawford is all about at this point in his career, perhaps he doesn't deserve a title.