Jamario Moon is ready
July 7, 2015A Cavs fan coming to grips with rooting for a Super Team
July 7, 2015Between the return of Mo Williams and Kevin Love’s, um, exposure in ESPN The Magazine’s “Body Issue,” Monday was a big day for the Cleveland Cavaliers. Now, the Cavs are setting their sights on a potential next move: Trading for shooting guard Jamal Crawford of the Los Angeles Clippers.
ESPN sources say that Cavs, in addition to Joe Johnson trade, are also exploring a Jamal Crawford-for-Brendan Haywood trade with Clippers
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) July 6, 2015
The club is reportedly looking into using Brendan Haywood’s non-guaranteed $10.5 million salary to acquire the scoring specialist and 15-year league vet. According to NEOMG, Crawford said on Monday that he’s in great shape, but is not permitted to discuss potential trade scenarios. “I’m 100 percent healthy, motivated and ready for next year,” he said. “I believe I have a big year in store. I’m just excited and ready for next season.”
Crawford has played for six NBA teams in his career, and has spent the past three seasons with the Clippers. He averaged 15.8 points per game last year in 64 games (4 starts), shooting just under 40 percent from the field and a shade under 33 percent from the three-point line. He has long been a scorer off the bench, and won the NBA Sixth Man of the Year award in 2014.
But, how does Crawford really feel about the possibility of joining the Cavs as a sixth man? Hiding in plain sight on Monday evening was a clue. Maybe.
Crawford himself favorited this tweet from Jay Williams, former Chicago Bull and Duke standout turned ESPN commentator:
If the @Cavs land Jamal Crawford & stay healthy, that could be a major major problem for the rest of the league. @ESPNNBA
— Jay Williams (@RealJayWilliams) July 6, 2015
Personally, I can’t help but agree with Williams… but I also can’t help but wonder: Is Jamal Crawford trying to send us a message? Is he in favor of this potential trade? Or is Crawford just a friendly tweeter, scrolling through his mentions and passing out “favorites” like they’re candy?
Only time will tell, but in this year’s lightning-fast free agency period, I’m guessing we won’t have to wait long for an answer.
23 Comments
Now this would be huge!
http://www.reactiongifs.com/r/cheering_minions.gif
OK…salary difference nonwithstanding, who do we want? Joe Johnson or Jamal Crawford.
We need a compare/contrast.
Jamal Crawford hands down! If you thought JR Smith was instant offense you ain’t seen nothin’ yet. Perfect compliment to Shump at SG and perfect sixth man. Imagine a secondary unit of Mo, Crawford, LBJ, TT and Varejao.
And NOT losing Varejao is a huge deal to me. I know he is constantly injured, but I would love to see him play 15ish minutes a game and see what he contributes. I think he would be a highly valuable piece. I love the idea of AV & TT out there with a bunch of shooters.
I would prefer Crawford. His cap hit is easier 5.675Mill and is a UFA after this year. Plus I’ve seen Joe Johnson while living in ATL and I’d pass on him. He’s an older version of Dion Waiters in my opinion with an inflated salary.
So, if we land Crawford instead of Johnson, we can keep Andy?
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Yes in fact I think the Clippers would have to add someone because Crawford is set to make $5,675,000 this coming season and Haywood’s expiring contract is worth $10M.
http://www.celebritiesmoney.com/jamal-crawford-salary-net-worth-shooting-guard-of-los-angeles-clippers-nba-team/
From what I understand, money-wise we wouldn’t have to give up Andy. Joe Johnson is the second highest paid guy in the league, so the deal would have to include Haywood and Andy to make the dollars work. Pretty sure Crawford could be had just for the Haywood contract – if the Clips are interested in that deal is another matter.
You are correct in order to get Joe Johnson the Cavs would need to include someone else besides Haywood’s expiring contract. Varejao’s $10M plus the $10M from Haywood would be close enough to Johnson’s $24M for the upcoming season to make the trade.
Another option would be a sign and trade with JR Smith. Sign him for $8M include that with the $10M from Haywood in a trade for Johnson.
I’d take either but I’m all in on Crawford for me he’s a more dangerous instant offensive threat off the bench.
Mr. Griffin, make this happen.
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Cavs can still trade Andy at the deadline for something….
don’t kill the messenger.
i’m not sure the sign-and-trade is a kosher move for the Cavs due to their cap situation. Jacob?
If LBJ is playing SF in your second unit, who’s starting?
LBJ! They need another SF or a SG/SF.
Fair enough. Even “totally gassed LBJ” is a better option at SF than most teams have on their bench…
Obviously it depends on what else they do but right now they need another SG and SF as I see it.
i read something to the effect that the Nets can’t receive anyone in a sign and trade due to their cap situation.
The Nets are still over the apron, so they can’t receive a player in a sign-and-trade. The Clippers situation is a little interesting, because if they renounce some rights and get rid of some cap holds, they could probably get under the cap slightly, which would increase the amount they can take back in trade for Crawford’s contract. The numbers are close, so they may actually be waiting until the Salary cap is finalized on Thursday.
Crawford is NOT an outside threat or floor spacer, but what the Cavs need to add is a playmaker on the 2nd unit, and he would certainly qualify. Dude gets buckets. I like this one a lot.
Crawford is not an outside threat, what? He took 364 three pointers last season.
And he made the same percentage of those shots as Mike Miller made of his last season. He’s had better years and could bounce back, but so could Mike Miller. (whose career 3P% is better) They’re the same age. Maybe its not fair to say he’s NOT an outside threat, but it’s fair to say he didn’t shoot all that well from distance last year.
He does other things though, so I’m not down on the idea at all. He’d be like Jarrett Jack with those midrange jumpers off the dribble, except he gets in deeper before taking them and he makes more of them. And he can slash to the basket and is pretty good in transition too. They didn’t have a guy who could create and make plays on the wing after Irving went down – neither Delly or JR could beat the perimeter defense with the ball in their hands, so it was Lebron posting up on every single possession. The Cavs need a guy like Crawford, but they would still need a perimeter shooter…
Mike Miller attempted 98 three point shots last season while Jamal Crawford attempted 364 hardly a fair comparison but yes for their careers Miller is a much better 3 point shooter by %s still I’ll stick with Crawford.