The Los Angeles Clippers could look at a Jamal Crawford trade this summer, as teams like the NY Knicks, Philadelphia 76ers, Portland Trail Blazers, Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat and Boston Celtics could be potential landing spots, as LA has signed Paul Pierce, Pablo Prigioni and Josh Smith and may not have a true role for Crawford anymore.
Crawford's name came up in trade talks earlier this offseason and things have cooled off since then. According to Marc Stein at ESPN.com, the Cavaliers and Miami Heat were both interested in a Crawford trade, while the Blazers and 76ers are potential options with salary cap space. Stein reported that the Cavs and Clippers talked about a Crawford for Brendan Haywood trade, but that clearly is not an option now with Haywood being traded to the Blazers.
Crawford's name continued to come up for the Cavs when it looked like it would be tough to bring back both Matthew Dellavedova and JR Smith, but now the Cavs are in a better situation. The team is not likely going for a Crawford trade now, as the Cavs have signed back Dellavedova and they are close with Smith. The team also has depth after signing Mo Williams and the Cavs also brought in Richard Jefferson for more bench depth.
The Knicks are not likely going to make a move for Crawford, but if the team looks at making a trade with Jose Calderon or someone else, it could be a possibility. The Sixers and the Blazers have cap space and could try and make a move and if the Clippers don't trade Crawford this summer, he could be a target at the trading deadline, as he is on an expiring contract.
The Miami Heat also came up in talks about Crawford and they could remain in the mix with Mario Chalmers and Chris Andersen still being shopped by the team. According to the Miami Herald, the Heat are trying to cut tax money and salary cap space with Chalmers and Andersen and they have already traded Zoran Dragic and Shabazz Napier away. The team is trying to cut payroll and not take on money, so Crawford may not be a fit, but he is on an expiring deal and that could help.
The Cavaliers previously were talking with the Brooklyn Nets about a trade for Joe Johnson, but the two sides could not work out the money. There has not been any recent movement on a trade with the Cavs or Heat about Crawford, but the Clippers are expected to continue shopping him after signing both Pierce and Smith this offseason. Crawford is not that expensive, as he is making $5.6 million next season in the final year of his deal.
The Cavs are working to sign back JR Smith and they have already added Mo Williams, but if the Smith deal doesn't work out, a trade with Anderson Varejao could be an option for Crawford. Crawford comes in after averaging a solid 15.8 points per game last season and he shot over 39 percent overall from the floor for the Clippers. Crawford's long range shooting has slipped a bit over the past couple years, but he is a consistent scorer and with his fairly affordable salary, he could be a nice offensive addition for a team in need of some extra bench scoring.
Check here for more on the Cavaliers and Clippers offseason moves and for more on the possibility of Crawford getting traded.