Jamal Crawford is a trade target this summer for the Clippers and teams like the Miami Heat, Cleveland Cavaliers, Philadelphia 76ers and Portland Trail Blazers could be options for a deal, as Miami has been shopping Mario Chalmers and Chris Andersen in trades, while the Blazers and 76ers have enough cap space to try and pull off a move.
Crawford has come up in trade rumors multiple times this offseason and it comes after the Clippers signed Josh Smith, Paul Pierce and Pablo Prigioni this summer. Crawford has been a very solid offensive option off the bench for the Clippers, but with those players signed and his contract near the end, it's likely he gets traded at some point. Marc Stein at ESPN reported earlier in the summer that Crawford had interest from the Cavs and Heat, but those deals did not come close to happening.
Crawford made some remarks on social media last month that may hint that he is not happy with his role on the Clippers. According to the Orange County Register, Crawford said that he wished he was a free agent and that obviously would make it easier to find a new team over being under contract for the Clippers. Crawford is on a $5,675,000 contract for next season and that deal is expiring and that could make him a nice trade target at the deadline if the Clippers don't make a move sooner.
Crawford comes in after averaging 15 points in 64 games last season and with the Clippers making so many moves, it's likely his minutes will decrease this year. Crawford is still a solid shooter, but his percentages have dipped in recent years and adding Pierce and Smith will take up a lot of shots with the Clippers already having Chris Paul, DeAndre Jordan, Blake Griffin and JJ Redick. The team also signed Wesley Johnson and he could take some of Crawford's time as well. Crawford has shown that he can be a key piece on a playoff team and the Cavs and Heat both are expecting to be there next season.
Miami won't make a move unless they get rid of either Andersen or Chalmers, but that may not fit for the Clippers. Either way, the team has been shopping both players this offseason, as they are both on expiring deals. The Heat have signed Josh Richardson and have added Gerald Green and Amar'e Stoudemire this offseason and that could make Andersen and Chalmers expendable. The moves are mostly about money and while Crawford would be in line with those players, it could make sense if the Heat are not planning on using them as much as they did last season.
The Sixers have shown interest in JR Smith this offseason and they have also looked into Norris Cole and they are one team that actually has the cap space to make a move. The Blazers reportedly are waiving Mike Miller and Brendan Haywood after trading with the Cavaliers and they could be options as well. The Clippers may end up keeping Crawford, but expect him to be trade bait at some point based on the way Doc Rivers signed players this offseason.
Check here for more on the possibility of Crawford being traded, Miami shopping Andersen and Chalmers and for more on the Clippers offseason moves.
