More on Jamal Crawford Free Agency
“There is interest,” Crawford said. “I could just sign a deal to sign a deal. I’m just waiting for the situation where I think I can help where I fit well. I don’t want to sign something just to sign it. “I’m not saying ‘championship or bust.’ A team on the rise makes sense. I bring a specific skill set. So, a team that needs me instead of just, ‘Oh, that can work.’ I feel like I just went through that last season and I don’t want to do that again.”
Jamal Crawford has spent the past 18 years in various NBA training camps: Chicago, New York, Oakland, Atlanta, Portland, Los Angeles and Minneapolis. But this year he is expected to begin training camp in his native Seattle, where there is no team. The 38-year-old guard is still a free agent. “If you would have asked before if I thought it would go this long, I’d say no, ” Crawford told The Undefeated. “But, I guess it’s kind of a special circumstance with the way the league is going, the market and different things of that nature. But I’m fine. I’m actually really, really good.
The Boston Celtics have 15 guaranteed contracts on the roster, the most they can carry into the season. They also have pretty good depth on the wing: Jaylen Brown and Gordon Hayward will start at the 2/3 spots, with Marcus Smart and Semi Ojeleye behind them. The Celtics are not really looking to add a wing. Plus, Crawford was frustrated with his role last season in Minnesota getting almost 21 minutes a night and having the ball in his hands a lot, that’s not necessarily a fit with Boston’s selfless style. But a good rumor never lets facts get in the way — like Jamal Crawford to the Celtics. The Athletic’s Jared Weiss, talking on the Celtics Beat podcast with Adam Kaufman, said there is “mutual interest” between the sides.
ESPN’s Marc Spears, during an appearance on The Jump, said that Crawford still isn’t near joining a new team, but there have been a few franchises, namely the Los Angeles Lakers, Golden State Warriors, and Philadelphia 76ers, that are interested in his services. “He said ‘Nothing yet,’ but he’s had some interest from the Lakers, had some interest from the Sixers. Had some from Golden State although I don’t think the Golden State thing will be there with Patrick McCaw coming back”
Eighteen years. Seven teams. Eighteen head coaches. “Fit is first and foremost when I’m thinking about where I’ll play next,” said Crawford, who wants to play another 2-3 years. “Last year, I may have made the mistake of not thinking fit all the way through. “You look at my career, when the fit was right, I contributed on the court. … I know people that care for me want me to win (an NBA title), but I don’t know if my career will be defined by that.”
Jamal Crawford declined a $4.5 million player option with the Timberwolves for next season, thinking that as a free agent he could get into a situation that was a better fit, and where he could get more minutes than the 20 he got each game last season. As we get into the middle of August, Crawford is still looking for a new home. There were rumors about him signing a minimum deal with the Warriors and stepping into the Nick Young role, but that never materialized. Other rumors have been floated, but nothing seemed real. Crawford is making his pitch, and on Brandon Robinson’s Scoop B Radio he praised the Sixers and his potential fit there.
Jamal Crawford: "I would be honored to play there, but things obviously have to take its course and I kind of got to sit back, but who wouldn’t want to play there? I like their city. I like how into it they are about basketball. I like their knowledge of basketball, how passionate they are. I’ve always loved coach Brett Brown. I’ve been on record. I’ve been a fan of his for years. He just needed talent, and now he has that. He added Ben Simmons, I love his game. I love Jojo [Joel Embiid]. They’re both among my favorite players in the league to watch. Markelle [Fultz] is like a little brother to me. Obviously, he went to the University of Washington, and we talk every other day. JJ Redick is like a brother to me, we’ve been through wars together, so there’s so many things to love about Philadelphia for sure.”
Isaiah Thomas: How is @Jamal Crawford still a free agent? Makes no sense!
Candace Buckner: Day 3 into free agency and some of the #Wizards's targets are coming into focus: Washington expressed interest in Jamal Crawford, Luc Mbah a Moute, Dante Cunningham and Willie Reed. All these players were pretty much July 1 calls.
Keith Pompey: The #Sixers have expressed some interest in acquiring @Jamal Crawford in free agency, according to sources. Like I tweeted out moments ago, he would a great addition if they’re able to get him.
Former Warriors guard and three-time Sixth Man of the Year Jamal Crawford has serious interest in joining the Warriors, too, and is well aware that it would require a financial sacrifice to take part. The Warriors have interest in Crawford as well, but it appears a minimum salary slot would be the only way to make this happen.
“For any player in free agency, fit and situation is so important,” said Crawford, who declined a player option with Minnesota for next season to become a free agent. “You see players in one situation and they go to another and they look totally different. I’ve been around long enough to know that the player didn’t change. May just be the situation that he’s in. There is nothing wrong with that either. It’s all a part of growing and taking something positive out of that. “For me, fit and situation may be even more important, because coming off the bench, you have to be able to make something happen for your team in a smaller amount of time. So I truly have to have the right fit, and that was part of the reason I opted out.”
There is some mutual interest between the Warriors and Jamal Crawford in a potential minimum deal, sources say. He might want more than the minimum. It's unclear if the Warriors will use their mini-midlevel exception, but if they do, it likely will not be on Crawford.
Minnesota Timberwolves guard Jamal Crawford has declined his $4.5 million player option for next season and will become a free agent, league sources told Yahoo Sports. Crawford, a three-time Sixth Man of the Year, will become one of the top reserve scorers on the open market after facing Monday’s deadline to decide on his option.
As for the bench guys, I don’t see Jamal Crawford coming back, even though Butler would love to have him. Gorgui Dieng’s contract will be difficult to move, so there’s a good chance he’s here. If not, the Wolves may have to pay a hefty price to unload him.
Jamal Crawford opting out of his $4.5M contract for 2018-19 now has Minnesota with $117M in salary (including the OKC 1st), $6M below the luxury tax. The Timberwolves can create $4.9M in additional flexibility if they waive Cole Aldrich by June 30. The center has $2.05M in salary protection. Crawford has non-bird rights and Minnesota is restricted to $5.19M in the first year they can offer the guard. Minnesota does have the $8.6M midlevel and $3.4M biannual exception available but using more than $5.29M of the midlevel would hard cap the team.
Jon Krawczynski: League sources tell @TheAthleticMIN that Jamal Crawford is declining his player option for next season with Wolves. (@Chris Haynes first)
Minnesota Timberwolves guard Jamal Crawford will decline his 2018-19 player option to become an unrestricted free agent this summer, league sources told ESPN. Crawford, one of the league's elite reserves, will be opting out of a guaranteed salary of $4.5 million to test free agency.
Veteran guard Jamal Crawford has a player option for next season and said he won’t begin to contemplate that decision until he decompresses from this past season. Backup point guard Tyus Jones, a member of Towns’ 2015 draft class, will be eligible to sign a contract extension this summer, and little-used veteran center Cole Aldrich can be paid off $2 million of the nearly $7 million owed him next season if he is waived by June 20.
Chris Haynes: Jamal Crawford has cleared waivers, league sources tell ESPN. He's free to ink two-year deal with Minnesota. Could possibly sign this week.
So young not so long ago, the Timberwolves’ maturation from a team for the future to a team of the now continued Saturday, when they reached a contract agreement with 37-year-old guard Jamal Crawford, according to league sources with knowledge of the negotiation.
A three-time NBA Sixth Man of the Year since 2010, Crawford’s arrival once he clears waivers Monday will give the Wolves a three-point shooting wing off the bench they so badly need. They will use their $4.3 million-plus “room” exception under the salary cap to sign the 17-year veteran who played his first NBA game in 2000. The two-year, $8.9 contract includes a player option for the second season.
Darren Wolfson: One other Crawford #Twolves note for the evening: KAT gets an assist. He was part of the recruiting pitch.
The Cavaliers chose 22-year-old Cedi Osman over Jamal Crawford, and Crawford picked the Timberwolves' cash. Crawford, the 37-year-old free agent, will sign a two-year, $8.9 million deal with Minnesota once he clears waivers on Monday, sources told cleveland.com. The deal includes a player's option on the second season. Crawford was bought out of his contract by the Hawks on Friday.
Chris Haynes: Jamal Crawford intends to sign with Minnesota upon clearing waivers, league sources tell ESPN.
Brad Turner: Jamal Crawford deal with Minnesota is 2 years, 8.9 million, player option for second year, per source.
Manny Vieites: Timberwolves are close to landing Jamal Crawford. Just waiting on clearing waivers per source.
Brad Turner: Can confirm Jamal Crawford "close" to a deal with Minnesota.
Shams Charania: Jamal Crawford is in serious talks to sign with the Minnesota Timberwolves once he clears waivers, league sources tell The Vertical.
Jamal Crawford would definitely play for the Cavaliers if they offer him the full $5.2 million they can pay to any free agent, sources told cleveland.com. Crawford, 37, secured a buyout from the Atlanta Hawks on Friday and is a free agent. Terms of the buyout were not immediately disclosed, but he was owed at least $17.2 million of the $28.75 million left on his contract.
Sources confirmed to cleveland.com that the Cavs were indeed interested in the 17-year vet. A source close to Crawford called him "Cleveland's to lose."
David Aldridge: Following official buyout this afternoon from Hawks, Cleveland, Minnesota, Washington and the Lakers top teams in pursuit of Jamal Crawford.
Brad Turner: Jamal Crawford interested in Lakers, Lakers interested in Crawford, sources. But things moving slow right now. Cleveland, Minny also options
Chris Haynes: Jamal Crawford and Atlanta Hawks have come to terms on a buyout, league sources tell ESPN.
Chris Vivlamore: Crawford buyout should be done today, I'm told, but not done now.
Sam Amick: Minnesota, Washington, Cleveland out front for Jamal Crawford's services, I'm told.
Alex Kennedy: Celtics are interested in Jamal Crawford, as @Michael Scotto said. Isaiah Thomas and JC are close friends. CLE, WAS, MIN, LAL, MIL also in mix.
The Cavs will keep tabs on the buyout market, as three-time Sixth Man of the Year Jamal Crawford is said to seek an exit from Atlanta after being sent there in a recent three-team trade. But there's no guarantee that happens. Carmelo Anthony seems to be looking for a way out of New York. Perhaps Dwyane Wade becomes available if Chicago decides to go a different direction.
Veteran guard Jamal Crawford is "very interested" in joining the Cavaliers if he becomes a free agent after a recent conversation with LeBron James, sources told cleveland.com. Crawford, 37, was traded by the Los Angeles Clippers to the Atlanta Hawks, and will negotiate a buyout with Atlanta. He has two years and $28.75 million remaining on his contract, but only one year (about $14.2 million) is fully guaranteed. About $3 million is guaranteed from the following year.
Marc J. Spears: With Lakers interest dying on both sides, source says Crawford is expected to have interest from T-Wolves, Cavs & Wizards after bought out.
Career sixth man Jamal Crawford has strong interest in remaining in Los Angeles and signing with the Lakers if a proposed three-team trade that would send him from the Clippers to the Atlanta Hawks goes through, a source said Tuesday.
The Lakers have several things working in their favor, although they would not be able to offer a title chase like the Warriors or Cavaliers, who have met in the Finals for three straight years. The Lakers have been careful this offseason not to commit money beyond 2018, so they might not be willing to offer Crawford a multiple-year contract. But with the Lakers sitting about $12 million under the $99 million salary cap, they could offer him a richer contract than the veteran’s minimum.
Brad Turner: Lakers "a real option" for Jamal Crawford if gets buyout from Atlanta, source. Crawford open to taking 1 year deal. Clev. GSW also options.
Bill Oram: Source confirms Jamal Crawford has strong interest in playing for Lakers if bought out after 3-way trade completed. GSW, CLE also in mix.
Marc J. Spears: Veteran guard Jamal Crawford's preference would be to join rookie Lonzo Ball in the backcourt with the Lakers if he can get bought out of his contract, a source told The Undefeated. With his family based in Los Angeles and a solid relationship already in place with Ball, the current Los Angeles Clippers guard would like to sign as a free agent with the Lakers if he were bought out of his contract by the Atlanta Hawks after an expected multi-team trade that is expected to send Danilo Gallinari to the Clippers. The Lakers have strong interest in signing Crawford as well, a source said, and have the money to offer a respectable contract. Crawford could possibly start at shooting guard for the Lakers and be a big help as a mentor and shot maker for the assist creating Ball.
Lakers Nation: If Jamal Crawford is bought out by the Hawks as expected, the Lakers are one of many teams interested in him lakersnation.com/lakers-rumors-… pic.twitter.com/WL8Sa9EdWy
Marcus Thompson: Jamal Crawford is really close with Kevin Durant and loves the Bay twitter.com/ChrisBHaynes/s…
There's a strong possibility that either LA Clippers' super reserve Jamal Crawford or free agent Nick Young could end up with the Golden State Warriors this offseason, league sources tell ESPN.
Sources informed ESPN that Crawford would seek an immediate buyout and the Warriors would be the frontrunners for his services if they still possessed the taxpayer mid-level exception of $5.2 million, sources tell ESPN. He's made nearly $135 million over his 17-year career.
Frank Isola: Don't be surprised if Jamal Crawford, assuming he's traded to Atlanta & gets a buyout, ends up with Knicks. He's always wanted to return.
Jamal Crawford: Sometimes all you can do is sit back and laugh..
Justin Verrier: Jordan Crawford expected to sign a second 10-day with NOLA, per sources. Crawford averaged 14.2 ppg, 51 FG% in 5 games on his first 10-day.
"So in this process, it was now president vs. player, so it was different," Austin said. "And he told me and I told him, it's a business, man. The fact is if Durant would have signed there, then me and Jamal would have been somewhere else. It's just strictly a business [move]. At the end of the day, you're trying to win. So we understood that. It came down to I wasn't going to wait that much longer. Jamal's sitting here trying to figure something out. It's a stressful process ... I wanted to be back here, and that's why I decided to come back."
Jamal Crawford: In my 16 years in the nba I've never had a "home". To be in this position where I can continue my career with people I consider family means more to me than you guys will ever know. You guys have embraced my family & I, made us feel welcome since day one... A heartfelt s/o to all of you for helping us have a "home" #ClipperNation you guys are the best. Nothing but Love & Respect!!! https://t.co/QfipKFhbfO
Shams Charania: Jamal Crawford has agreed to a three-year, $42M deal to return to the Clippers, league sources tell The Vertical.
David Aldridge: Jamal Crawford returns to Clippers (@Sam Amick first). Three years, $42M, partial guarantee third year, per source.
Alex Kennedy: Jamal Crawford confirms that he has reached a three-year, $42 million deal with the Clippers: "This is where I wanted to be all along!"
Have the 76ers offered Jamal Crawford a significant free agent deal? That’s what the Orange County Register reported on Sunday. However, a league source denied that team made a significant offer.
Brad Turner: Was just told there "nothing new" between Jamal Crawford and Clippers, who remain at stalemate in negotiations. He's weighing other offers.
Dan Woike: Hearing Philadelphia has made a significant offer to Jamal Crawford
Brad Turner: mutual interest between Jamal Crawford, Warriors after GS reached out to Clips free agent guard. GS still waiting on Kevin Durant decision
Mike Mazzeo: The #Nets have strong interest in veteran free-agent G Jamal Crawford, sources say. Jamal Crawford would be a great locker room leader for the young #Nets, also went to the same school (Michigan) as Caris LeVert.
Mike Mazzeo: Jamal Crawford was disappointed in the offer he received from the #Clippers Saturday, sources say.
Isaiah Thomas: @JCrossover might as well come to Boston my brotha lol. I know we would take you!
Ramona Shelburne: Heard that Clippers formally offered 6th Man of the Year Jamal Crawford on Saturday, too. But he is still weighing options. Not sure where they get bench scoring if he bolts. They still need a starting small forward, too, after Jeff Green left.
Sam Amick: As @Ramona Shelburne noted, Clippers made an offer to Jamal Crawford. But from what I'm told, that offer will very likely lead to him leaving. These dots aren't hard to connect: Doc Rivers gives Austin three years, $35 million... offers Jamal, & now this is how the landscape unfolds.
Ian Begley: The Knicks also have interest in Austin Rivers, Eric Gordon and Jamal Crawford, among others, to fill their void at shooting guard.
Tom Moore: #NBA source: #Sixers aren't close to signing veteran FA G Jamal Crawford.
Orazio Cauchi: Uhm...Jamal Crawford started to follow Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons on Twitter. Maybe there's something going around. #Sixers
Clippers still in the mix to re-sign 6th Man of the Year Jamal Crawford. But he's also weighing at least two offers this weekend, per source. Clippers can't get serious with anyone until they hear from Durant. So dominoes still to fall.
Also on the list of players the Wolves have expressed interest in are former Wolves guard Randy Foye, reserve Brooklyn center Willie Reed, shooting guard Courtney Lee, former Hopkins and Gophers star forward Kris Humphries, guard Jamal Crawford, forward/center Brandon Bass and center Ian Mahinmi. Most of those players would add depth and bench strength to the Wolves.
Darren Wolfson: The #Twolves today have called on FA SG Jamal Crawford. Layden/Thibs have called on many guys.
He’s an unrestricted free agent looking for a landing spot, whether it’s back with the Clippers or another team willing to pay him a nice salary to provide buckets. “I’ve always said my preference is to return to the Clippers, but I have to go into this process very open-minded,” Crawford said Friday during an interview on NBA TV. “I’m very open-minded in this process and then just play it by ear and go from there.”
Brad Turner: Jamal Crawford on NBA TV on free agency: "I'm very open minded."
Chris Broussard: In addition to Dallas and Orlando, Miami, Nets, Philly and GState reached out to Jamal Crawford last night/this morning, sources say
Alex Kennedy: The Sixers have expressed interest in Dion Waiters, Jamal Crawford, Allen Crabbe and other guards. Philadelphia has a ton of money to spend.
The Heat wants to add a shooter and plans to pursue Jamal Crawford, who reportedly will meet with Orlando on Friday.
Sam Amick: The Clippers' Doc Rivers made sure to call free agent Jamal Crawford this evening, I'm told, & swore to him he's going nowhere. We shall see
