Where Will Jamal Crawford Land?
Before the start of training camp, normally low key Atlanta Hawks shooting guard Jamal Crawford made an unexpected demand of the organization.
Either provide an adequate contract extension or grant him a trade to a team who wanted him as part of their future plans.
The Hawks did neither.
As the season progress Crawford, the 2010 Sixth Man of the Year, consistently expressed his desire to remain with the franchise over the long haul but retreated substantially from any talks of still wanting to be traded if his contract demands weren’t satisfied – at least publicly.
The eleven year veteran got off to an extremely slow start this past season and suffered through a huge shooting slump during the final months finishing the campaign averaging 14.2 points per contest, his lowest tally since 2003.
There is no question the unresolved contract situation impacted Crawford from a mental standpoint early and often.
However as most began to applaud the Hawks’ decision to hold off on extending an apparently declining Crawford, he exploded in the team’s first round playoff upset over the heavily favorite Orlando Magic.
The former University of Michigan standout averaged 20.5 points per game in the Hawks’ six game triumph (24 ppg during the first four games of the series). The performance showed the veteran still possessed plenty of life in those legs and his value during the upcoming free agent period has risen – and rightfully so.
With that in mind, let’s take a look at some potential playoff caliber teams who may have a shot to secure his services. Keep in mind we’ll focus on teams either on the rise or already contending since Crawford has stated that the taste of winning consistently is something he’d like to continue being associated with. Let’s also assume the popular mid-level and bi-annual salary cap exceptions will still be in place to some extent.
Atlanta Hawks
The Hawks still have the strongest chance of keeping Crawford. The question remains are they willing to dig into their wallets any deeper. Last summer the team committed over $100 million to re-sign franchise player Joe Johnson and then dished out another $60 million to extend All-Star center Al Horford.
In fact, the Hawks have showed zero interest in even the remote possibility of entering the luxury tax club and as it sits today, the team already has over $65 million on the books for the 2012 season.
Given this, Crawford’s fate with the team possibly was sealed when the organization acquired point guard Kirk Hinrich at the trade deadline from Washington. The Hawks essentially increased their cap number in 2012 by dealing the faded Mike Bibby.
Still, Crawford has maintained Atlanta is his first choice. He loves the city, fans and has earned a great deal of respect and trust from the core members of the team.
Boston Celtics
If the mid-level and bi-annual salary exceptions still exist in the next Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), the Celtics would be an interesting destination for Crawford.
The Celtics were eliminated in five games by the Miami HEAT in the second round of the playoffs and it was painfully obvious Boston needs depth at guard from the bench if it expects to make another title run with Ray Allen, Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett.
{AUTHOR_BOX} Boston has prided themselves on playing hardnosed defense as of late and while Crawford isn’t the strongest defender in the game his offensive prowess would be enough to offset the gap.
Chicago Bulls
Chicago is a long shot, but keep in mind how active the Bulls were during the 2010 free agency period in trying to bring a shooting guard into town. The team attempted to sign HEAT guard Dwyane Wade, Johnson and made a very attractive offer to Magic guard J.J. Redick.
Plus Crawford has familiarity with the organization playing the first four seasons of his career in the Windy City.
When the Hawks were eliminated by the Bulls in the second round of the playoffs last week, one of the first players Bulls legend Scottie Pippen congratulated on having a good season in the locker room was Crawford.
Dallas Mavericks
The Mavericks dethroned the two-time defending champion Los Angeles Lakers in this year’s playoffs but one of the voids in their lineup in recent memory has been at shooting guard.
Ever since Michael Finley (and to an extent Jerry Stackhouse) left town, the two guard position has been a weakness for the Mavericks. Yes, Jason Terry does an exceptional job for the Mavericks in a hybrid role which creates matchup problems, but we’re talking about the need for a true shooting guard.
Crawford seems to fit the bill of the player Mavs owner Mark Cuban likes to bring to Dallas – a proven veteran with name recognition, fan favorite and solid locker room presence.
Indiana Pacers
Despite finishing eight games below .500 the Pacers squeezed into the postseason and put up a spirited fight against the number one seeded Bulls in the first round before bowing out.
Indiana is one of the most well positioned teams below the cap in the league for next season with only $36 million currently on the books.
At shooting guard, Brandon Rush hasn’t quite panned out as expected and Paul George will continue to get minutes at the two even though his natural position is probably at small forward.
The Pacers are a few years away from seriously contending for a title, but are poised to be a playoff team with Danny Granger, Darren Collison, Roy Hibbert and George. Add in a strong fan base when things are going well and Indy might not be a bad destination for an aging vet to end their career.
New Jersey Nets
Nets owner Russian billionaire Mikhail Prokhorov wants to win and has indicated on numerous occasions he’s willing to spend to get his mission accomplished.
New Jersey has just $40 million on the books next season and the team is expected to be very active participants in the free agent market this summer.
Adding Crawford to a shooting guard crew consisting of Anthony Morrow and Sasha Vujacic would give New Jersey multiple perimeter threats which would further open the crowded interior up for emerging center Brook Lopez.
A Crawford signing would also signify the club is willing to invest in bringing in established talent as it attempts to extend All-Star guard Deron Williams who hasn’t given a full commitment of a long term future with the club after arriving from Utah.
New Orleans Hornets
Chris Paul needs more firepower. Surprise starter at shooting guard Marco Belinelli had a strong campaign in his first full season as a starter, but the only other depth at the position heading into 2012 is the relatively unproven Quincy Pondexter.
Paul maintains that he’s happy in NOLA, but needs to see the club continue to make winning a priority, which in translation means a steady stream of talent being brought into the Hornets fold.
Phoenix Suns
Assuming the Suns part ways with Vince Carter (non-guaranteed $18.3 million on books for 2012); the team would have to rely on the combination of Mickael Pietrus and Josh Childress on the perimeter.
It’s no secret and should go without saying that point guard Steve Nash wants to at least be in playoff contention as he winds down his Hall of Fame career. Since the Suns have vehemently denied the possibility of trading Nash, the Suns are going to have to tighten up his dance partner in the backcourt – once again assuming the team passes on Carter’s non-guaranteed price tag.
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