Jamal Crawford Rumors | Hoops Rumors

Trail Blazer Free Agents Talk About Their Future

April 25th, 2012 at 7:45pm CST by Michael Pina

With the Trail Blazers assuming the look of a franchise trying to turn the page and overhaul almost every key piece, CSNNW.com's Chris Haynes attended the team's final practice today and asked seven of the team's free agents—Nicolas Batum, Raymond Felton, Joel Przybilla, Jamal Crawford, J.J. Hickson, Hasheem Thabeet, and Jonny Flynn—if they expected to be back with the team next season. Their answers were both varied and interesting. Here's what they said.

Batum, a restricted free agent, said he would see whether or not the team is willing to match any offers he gets. If they don't he'll probably leave. Hickson called his relationship with the Trail Blazers a "win-win" situation; he'd prefer to stay. Thabeet said he'd love to stay in Portland. Flynn says anything could happen, but that he appreciates the opportunity the Trail Blazers organization gave him to see the court.

Przybilla says he'll probably have minor surgery on his left foot once the season ends, but that he'd like to come back next year and thinks he'd be more effective in a regular 82 game campaign. Felton and Crawford, two players who had disappointing first years with the team, both gave uncommitted answers as to whether or not they pictured themselves back next season. Crawford's contract has a player option for next season, but it's believed he will opt out of it.

Latest On Jamal Crawford

April 19th, 2012 at 8:58am CST by Luke Adams

With the Trail Blazers having been officially eliminated from playoff contention, focus in Portland is turning to the team's offseason plans, which include the status of Jamal Crawford. Crawford holds a player option worth about $5.2MM that he's expected to decline, and the Suns and Warriors may be among the teams that inquire on him if he hits free agency.

Speaking to Kerry Eggers of the Portland Tribune, Crawford didn't confirm that he would turn down his option for 2012/13, but he did give an idea of his thinking if he doesn't opt in.

"If I do opt out, it doesn't mean I want to leave Portland," Crawford said. "It just means I want long-term security instead of playing on a one-year deal."

Crawford, who also added that he'd like to find a situation where he could be a starter, will have until June 15th to exercise or decline his option. As Jason Quick of the Oregonian notes, most players with options have until June 30th to make their decisions, but the Blazers negotiated the early deadline with Crawford to allow the team to have a clearer picture of its roster heading into the June 28th draft.

Suns To Pursue Jamal Crawford

April 17th, 2012 at 8:25am CST by Luke Adams

Jamal Crawford is expected to turn down his player option for 2012/13, and when he does, the Suns may be one of the first teams to come after him. According to Chris Haynes of CSNNW.com, Phoenix intends to aggressively pursue Crawford this summer.

"Aside from Steve [Nash], he's high if not the top free agent priority on their list," a source told Haynes. "He would fill a need at the two-guard position and he knows they want him."

Crawford was reported to have some interest in joining the Warriors, and it appears he may reciprocate the Suns' interest as well. According to Suns broadcaster John Bloom (via Twitter), Crawford told Phoenix broadcaster Eddie Johnson and coach Alvin Gentry during last night's game that he "needs to be here in Phoenix."

Crawford signed a two-year deal with the Blazers in December, but holds a player option worth $5.225MM for the second season. While the 32-year-old's 13.8 PPG and .384 FG% are his lowest marks in years, he should be able to secure a multiyear deal on the open market this offseason, as plenty of teams will be seeking shooting guards.

Jamal Crawford Interested In Warriors?

April 12th, 2012 at 8:45am CST by Luke Adams

Jamal Crawford lit up the Warriors last night, scoring a season-high 34 points last night en route to a 118-110 Trail Blazers win. However, there's a possibility Crawford could be doing that scoring for the Warriors next year, rather than against them. Golden State is a potential free agent destination for the guard, according to Marcus Thompson of the Bay Area News Group, who has heard the Warriors on Crawford's list of desired locations.

Crawford, 32, is expected to decline his $5.23MM player option for 2012/13, making him a free agent this summer. While the Warriors couldn't increase his annual salary much, since they'll only have the mid-level exception available, they could tack on a couple extra years at that price. However, Thompson points out that a two guard won't necessarily be a priority for Golden State in free agency.

Assuming he turns down his option for next season, Crawford will join Eric Gordon, Ray Allen, Jason Terry, and O.J. Mayo as a few of the top shooting guards available on the free agent market this July.

Jamal Crawford Expected To Decline Option

April 11th, 2012 at 4:22pm CST by Luke Adams

Jamal Crawford was the subject of a ton of trade rumors prior to March's deadline, but both the Blazers and teams interested in Crawford were unsure about whether the veteran scorer planned to exercise his $5.23MM player option for 2012/13. Teams wanting to clear cap room were hoping Crawford would decline the option, while teams not wanting to acquire Crawford as a two-month rental were hoping he'd pick it up.

The Trail Blazers ultimately ended up hanging on to Crawford, and Alex Kennedy of HoopsWorld reports that the 32-year-old is expected to turn down his option for next season. While Crawford didn't confirm that report, he did talk to Kennedy about the upcoming offseason:

"If I opt out, I think it'll be really cool to have a traditional free agency," Crawford said. "Last year, everything was so rushed. A lot of people didn't even think we’d have a season and then, all of sudden, everything was thrown together. It happened so fast. If I choose to opt out, this year will be much different and more traditional."

The Timberwolves were one team that seemed on the verge of acquiring Crawford at the trade deadline, and the former Michigan Wolverine didn't rule out the possibility of joining the T-Wolves this summer.

"Anything is possible in the future," Crawford said. "Minnesota was a team that I almost signed with before I decided to come to Portland. I’m sure the interest is still there. I’ve always been a fan of coach [Rick] Adelman and how he goes about things. That’s a little ways away though. We’ll see what happens this summer. Right now, I’m just focused on Portland and trying to get as many wins as possible before the season is over."

The Blazers may be hoping Crawford turns down the option, since they're expected to have a ton of cap space to work with this summer, and taking Crawford off their books would clear an extra $5MM+.

Northwest Notes: Petrie, Rubio, Crawford

March 23rd, 2012 at 7:15pm CST by Chuck Myron

The Northwest Division is home to five playoff contenders, but it could boast only one playoff team in the end. The last-place Blazers are within three and a half games of the final postseason berth, but if the playoffs began today, only the first-place Thunder and the Nuggets, who would be the No. 7 seed, would qualify. Here's the buzz from around the Northwest:

While a report came out earlier today suggesting Kings GM Geoff Petrie was about to sign a new deal with the team, co-owner Gavin Maloof said that's not the case, according to Jason Jones of the Sacramento Bee. In a separate story, Jones passes along that Petrie says his job status for next season is the "last thing on my mind."
The discovery of a torn LCL will not affect the timetable of Ricky Rubio's return, according to an Associated Press story published on ESPN.com. The six to nine month timetable, however, suggests Rubio may not be ready for the start of next season. However, Wolves GM David Kahn is optimistic he'll recover in time for 2012/13.
In a Q&A with Brendan Bowers of Slam magazine (hat tip to Ben Golliver of Blazer's Edge), Jamal Crawford says he was surprised he wasn't among the exodus at the trade deadline in Portland. Crawford also asserts he had nothing to do with any uprising against former coach Nate McMillan, citing a connection that dates back to when Crawford was 16 years old.

Latest On Lakers’ Failed Trade For Beasley

March 16th, 2012 at 1:36pm CST by Luke Adams

1:36pm: Bill Ingram of HoopsWorld reports a slightly different story on how the Beasley talks broke down, saying the Lakers were trying to send Luke Walton and other "salary dump type pieces" to Minnesota. Ingram suggests the reports on Fisher's inclusion causing Minnesota to back out are Lakers' spin.

10:42am: We heard yesterday that the Timberwolves had backed out of a potential three-team trade that would've sent Michael Beasley to the Lakers, Derek Fisher and Jamal Crawford to Minnesota, and a first-round pick to the Trail Blazers. The Lakers ultimately moved Fisher and that first-rounder to Houston for Jordan Hill, but a few details have surfaced on that failed deal have surfaced today.

According to Dave McMenamin of ESPNLosAngeles.com, Anthony Tolliver would have also been involved in the deal, heading from Minnesota to Portland. McMenamin says the T-Wolves pulled out of the deal with just seven minutes left before the trade deadline, leaving Lakers officials "puzzled and disappointed."

Mike Breshanan of the Los Angeles Times hears from a source that the trade was "whisker-close" to being completed, but that Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor blocked the deal. Presumably, if ownership vetoed the deal, it was for financial reasons rather than basketball reasons, though that's just my speculation.

Timberwolves Backed Out Of Beasley Deal

March 15th, 2012 at 4:25pm CST by Luke Adams

The Lakers and Blazers had agreed to a three-team trade that would've sent Michael Beasley to the Lakers, with Jamal Crawford and Derek Fisher heading to the Timberwolves, according to Scott Howard-Cooper of NBA.com. However, the T-Wolves pulled out of the deal, says Cooper (Twitter link).

Jerry Zgoda of the Star Tribune echoes Howard-Cooper's report, saying that Minnesota decided upgrading from Beasley to Crawford wasn't enough to justify the additional salary heading to the T-Wolves (Twitter link). The Wolves also had no guarantee that Crawford would exercise his player option and remain in Minnesota next season, says Chris Tomasson of FOX Sports Florida (via Twitter).

Zgoda adds that Luke Ridnour and Steve Blake don't seem to have been involved in the discussed deal, as the Blazers would have received Dallas' first-round pick from the Lakers (Twitter links).

Failed Deals: Beasley, Crawford, Allen, Pierce

March 15th, 2012 at 3:31pm CST by Luke Adams

You've read about the trades that were completed prior to the deadline, but there were also plenty of moves that didn't quite work out. Here are a few that have been reported so far:

The Lakers had been in talks to acquire Michael Beasley in a deal that would've sent Jamal Crawford and Derek Fisher to the Timberwolves, with Dallas' first-round pick going to the Blazers, says Scott Howard-Cooper of NBA.com (on Twitter).
Crawford also could've gone to the Lakers, but the Blazers didn't want to take on Derek Fisher, tweets Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports.
Before they acquired Nick Young, the Clippers talked extensively with the Rockets about trading for Courtney Lee, tweets Sam Amick of SI.com.
The Clippers were also "this close" from acquiring Ray Allen, according to Sam Amico of FOX Sports Ohio (Twitter link).
The Celtics had serious talks with several teams about both Allen and Paul Pierce, but nothing came together, says Wojnarowski (via Twitter).
Another interesting tidbit from Amick: He says the Nuggets tried to engage the Kings on Nene/DeMarcus Cousins swap about a month ago, but the Kings weren't interested (Twitter links).
The Bucks made a "strong late push" for the Hornets' Carl Landry, but couldn't work anything out, tweets ESPN.com's Marc Stein.
GM Otis Smith told John Denton of OrlandoMagic.com that the Magic explored many deals to bring in help around Dwight Howard, but that the risk/reward factor didn't make sense (Twitter link).

Trade Rumors: Hinrich, Pierce, Pistons, Crawford

March 15th, 2012 at 2:00pm CST by Luke Adams

The NBA's 2:00pm trade deadline is upon us, but teams who are close to deals could still be given a little leeway to finalize things. Here are a few of the latest rumors:

Kirk Hinrich will remain a Hawk through the deadline, tweets Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports.
The Hawks and Bobcats will stand pat, says Steve Kyler of Hoops World (Twitter link).
Interest in Paul Pierce picked up today, but a deal isn't likely because the Celtics' asking price is too high, tweets Chris Mannix of SI.com.
The Pistons received and made phone calls, but likely won't make a deadline deal, tweets Jeff Zillgitt of USA Today.
Joe Freeman of The Oregonian tweets that the Blazers are still working on a Jamal Crawford trade, but a deal doesn't look likely, says Alex Kennedy of HoopsWorld (via Twitter).