Jamal Crawford Rumors: Cleveland Cavaliers, Heat Trade Targets From Clippers? Nick Young Possible Option With Exception

Aug 10, 2015 09:57 AM EDT
Jamal Crawford #11 of the Los Angeles Clippers shoots the ball against the Cleveland Cavaliers
Jamal Crawford #11 of the Los Angeles Clippers shoots the ball against the Cleveland Cavaliers during the game on February 5, 2015 at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio."

The Cleveland Cavaliers could look at a trade for Jamal Crawford this summer with the Los Angeles Clippers, as the guard reportedly would be open to playing for the Cavs and this comes as Crawford's role will likely be diminished with LA this season and as the Cavs could use some more depth on the bench with players like Crawford, Nick Young and Kevin Martin potential trade options.

Crawford's name came up in connection with a deal to the Cavaliers earlier in the offseason, but the trade did not work out at the time. The Cavaliers and Clippers talked about a deal involving Brendan Haywood and Crawford, but Haywood was later dealt to the Blazers. That move created a trade exception and that could play into things with Crawford if a deal happens. According to Chris Haynes of Cleveland.com, Crawford would "like to be part of the Cavaliers organization" if a trade ends up going down.

Haynes writes that he knows Crawford personally and that he would be open to playing for the team, would "be a fit" for the team and that the Cavs will "be looking at him." The Cavaliers reportedly want to make a few more moves this summer and that comes on top of what the team will do with JR Smith and Tristan Thompson. The Akron Beacon Journal reports that the Cavaliers are "likely" going to sign back Smith and that the team "continues to talk" with Thompson about a contract extension.

The Cavaliers reportedly want some more depth behind LeBron James and also want to make an addition to the front court. Brian Windhorst at ESPN reported that the team is considering signing Sasha Kaun from overseas, as they retain his draft rights, while players like Eric Moreland or Elton Brand could be free agent depth options. The Cavaliers created two trade exceptions with the Haywood and Mike Miller deal to the Blazers and they can use those this year.

Nick Young, Crawford, Channing Frye, OJ Mayo and Kevin Martin are some names the team could look at and Crawford appears to be a solid fit. Crawford has been a strong offensive player for the Clippers over the past few years, but his role may be a bit diminished this season. The Orange County Register reports that Crawford is "unhappy with his role" and it comes after the Clippers signed Paul Pierce, Wesley Johnson, Josh Smith and Pablo Prigioni to deals this summer. The team also traded for Lance Stephenson and that could leave Crawford at the bottom of the pecking order.

Pro Basketball talk reports that Crawford could be acquired in a deal using the Haywood trade exception for the Cavaliers and that could help give the team some more depth on the bench. The Cavs have already signed Mo Williams, Richard Jefferson, James Jones, Iman Shumpert and Kevin Love this summer and both Thompson and Smith are still expected. Crawford's long range shooting has dipped the last couple years, but he is still a skilled player and a valuable option off the bench. If something falls through with smith, Crawford is a solid option after scoring 15.8 points per game last season for the Clippers.

Check here for more on Crawford and the trade targets for the Cleveland Cavaliers.

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