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.
More on Jamal Crawford Free Agency
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
Alex Kennedy: No surprise, but first team to call Jamal Crawford after free agency started was the Clippers. L.A. has tough competition for JC though.
Brad Turner: Clippers called Jamal Crawford, but nothing yet. JC will meet Orlando tomorrow in LA.
Prior to them hitting the market Thursday night, the Clippers already had contact with Jeff Green, Austin Rivers, Luc Mbah a Moute, Cole Aldrich, Jamal Crawford and Wesley Johnson, according to a source. Doc Rivers has publicly said he hopes to re-sign as many of them as possible.
Jamal Crawford is set to meet with the Orlando Magic in the early hours of free agency, and the reigning Sixth Man of the Year won’t have a shortage of suitors.
Michael Scotto: Magic interested in Eric Gordon & meeting w/ Jamal Crawford on July 1, per @Alex Kennedy. I'm told Magic still plan to keep Evan Fournier.
Los Angeles Clippers' Jamal Crawford joins NBA A to Z guy Sam Amick to break down free agency. As a player, Crawford has a unique perspective on where guys might go and what the market is for other players. They discuss Kevin Durant’s situation and how Durant will be talking to Crawford’s team.
Then they talk about how Crawford, a free agent himself, stays in playing shape even in his late 30s. They also talk about other guys, in particular Dwyane Wade, who is in Crawford’s age bracket and how he might fit in with the Miami Heat’s plans.
Alex Kennedy: Unrestricted free agent Jamal Crawford will meet with the Orlando Magic on July 1, according to sources. The two sides will meet in L.A.
If the Clippers are unable to get Durant to agree to join the team, a move that would then trigger a flurry of other moves, they’ll turn their attention to their other top priority – re-signing their own free agents. With most of their salary cap – more than $70 million of it – going to Paul, Griffin, Jordan and Redick – the Clippers hope to keep their top three free agents – Jeff Green, Jamal Crawford and Austin Rivers. The Clippers have “Bird rights” for Green and Crawford and “early Bird rights” for Rivers, enabling them to go over the salary cap to re-sign those players. The team also has interest in re-signing reserves Cole Aldrich and Wesley Johnson, though the fear is both players will be out of the Clippers’ price range once they hit the market. The Clippers will still meet with Aldrich, though. And just because the Clippers have the ability to pay Green, Crawford and Rivers, there are no guarantees they’re able to secure all three.
The Knicks, Nets, Magic, Raptors, Mavericks and Heat could all pursue Crawford, the reigning Sixth Man of the Year.
In addition to pursuing Durant in free agency, the Clippers have several short-term free-agent priorities to re-sign for next season, including Jeff Green, Austin Rivers, Jamal Crawford and Cole Aldrich. Two of the Clippers’ three All-Stars – Chris Paul and Blake Griffin – could become free agents in the summer of 2017.
Brad Turner: Jamal Crawford to talk with Clippers, New York, Orlando, Dallas, Miami when free agency starts, per source.
Steve Kyler: Can't speak about Parsons can say Magic very much in the hunt for Crawford. twitter.com/Iceman1875/sta…
Sam Amick: The kind of free agency tidbits you can hear on the latest A to Z pod: After the Oladipo exit, Orlando is very interested in Jamal Crawford
Crawford, who does have a meeting scheduled with the Clippers, is also drawing interest from a number of teams in search of a scoring guard. Crawford is expected to receive interest from the New York Knicks, the Miami Heat, the Toronto Raptors, the Dallas Mavericks, the Orlando Magic and the Brooklyn Nets in addition to the Clippers.
“I definitely have to keep an open mind and see what’s out there,” Crawford said. “That’s why you’re in this position. My preference, like I’ve said from the get go, is to go back to the Clippers. But, I’m definitely very, very open-minded about the whole free-agency process.”
“It doesn’t have to be a team that’s a contender. I don’t want to go to a team that’s only won a few amount of games, but it doesn’t have to be a contender,” he said. “At the end of the day, only one team wins. You want to put yourself in the best position to try and win.”
