The NY Knicks are reportedly interested in a trade for Jamal Crawford and reports have the team in it with the Cavs as options for the Los Angeles Clippers and if the Knicks end up making a deal, players like Jose Calderon, Langston Galloway or Cleanthony Early are the ones likely to get moved for Phil Jackson.
The Cavaliers have reportedly shown interest in Crawford this summer and now Frank Isola at the New York Daily News is reporting that the Knicks also could be in the mix. Isola writes that the Knicks have "expressed interest" in acquiring Crawford from the Clippers, per sources close to the situation. Isola writes that the Cavaliers are also looking into Crawford and that a deal is "being pursued" by the team as the Cavaliers try and retain JR Smith.
The news about the Knicks is a bit out of left field, as the team has mostly set the roster heading into camp. Based on what Isola writes, the team could be looking at adding some more veteran offense, but to get a deal done, the team will have to give up something decent. Eric Pincus at the LA Times reports that the Knicks do not have many options if they want to make a deal for Crawford, as the team likely would have to take some salary back to make a deal work.
Pincus writes that the Knicks likely would have to take CJ Wilcox back in the deal and that a trade may need someone like Jose Calderon in it. The Knicks may not mind trading Calderon, but as Bobby Marks points out on Twitter, the Clippers may not want Calderon for two years, as he is signed into next season and will be a free agent after that. Pincus adds that the team can trade certain players, including Calderon, Langston Galloway and Cleanthony Early, but other players are not eligible to be traded yet after signing this summer. Technically the Knicks have Kristaps Porzingis and Jerian Grant, but they are likely not looking to deal those players.
The Cavaliers are also in the mix for Crawford, as he could be an option if the JR Smith deal does not work out for the team. According to Chris Haynes at Cleveland.com, Crawford would be open to playing for the Cavs if a deal happened. Crawford averaged nearly 16 points per game last season, but with the Clippers signing Pablo Prigioni, Josh Smith, Wesley Johnson and Paul Pierce, his role may be limited this season.
The Cavaliers have Mo Williams signed from this offseason and they want Smith to return, but so far a deal has not been reached. Crawford's long range shooting has dipped down a bit in recent years, but he could be a nice option for the Cavs if the team doesn't sign back JR Smith. The Cavaliers are expected to sign back Smith and Tristan Thompson and even if they do that, Crawford could still remain a target. The Cavs have a trade exception after trading Brendan Haywood and Crawford could be an option to come over through that.
Check here for more on the details of Jamal Crawford potentially getting traded and more on the Knicks interest and interest from the Cavaliers in a deal.
