Where in the world will Jamal Crawford play next season? That is the million dollar question in the NBA as the Los Angeles Clippers continue to toy with the idea of trading the former Sixth Man of the Year following several offseason additions to the roster. Crawford is still very much a talent who could bring a lot to the reserves of any team, but with deals being taken off the table, who wins the veteran guard before the year starts?
The Miami Heat and the New York Knicks have been the two teams to have their names tossed around in deals for Crawford. The veteran has made it clear that he is on the trading block and while he does not want to be moved from Los Angeles, he is also tired of the back and forth. However, that could easily continue as teams are uncertain about striking a deal this late in the offseason.
According to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald, while the Heat are desperate to move either Mario Chalmers or Chris Andersen, there is no evidence they are shopping either player to the Los Angeles Clippers for Crawford. Jackson writes that while the deal cannot be ruled out as an option, it is not a thought at the moment for the team. Los Angeles appears content with Cole Aldrich backing up DeAndre Jordan and considering they re-signed Austin Rivers and brought in Lance Stephenson, they have enough shooting power on the bench to rule out Chalmers.
Does this make the Knicks a frontrunner for the deal? Jose Calderon took to Twitter to indicate that the Clippers and the Minnesota Timberwolves were interested in a deal for him. The point guard has never had a guaranteed future in New York as Phil Jackson would rather shop him and move on with Langston Galloway and Jerian Grant. Crawford would be a nice piece coming off the bench and could work in with the point guards when needed. He is also set to make less than Calderon, meaning the Knicks could have to offer something else to sweeten the deal.
Minnesota being interested in the veteran raises the question of whether or not New York will push to get Ricky Rubio. According to Gary Washburn of the Boston Globe and international basketball site, Sportando, the Knicks are targeting Rubio in a mid-season trade if the Timberwolves opt to move on with Tyus Jones at the point guard spot. Calderon would obviously be involved in the deal getting done.
