The Phoenix Suns have reportedly offered a contract to veteran sharpshooter Jamal Crawford, according to John Gambadoro of Arizona Sports Radio 98.7 FM. Crawford spent last season on the Minnesota Timberwolves and did not have his contract extended.
A veteran minimum contract for the 2018-19 season would be $2.4 million. The Suns have some new management in the form of interim general manager James Jones, who takes over for the recently-fired Ryan McDonough. Jones is a fan of the 18-year veteran Crawford, who know each other personally.
I like Jamal. I know him personally. He’s a great player, he’s a great guy,” Jones said on 98.7 FM Arizona’s Sports Station. “Those are the types of players that we will look towards as we go through the season. More importantly, it’s not even about who potentially could be here or who’s out there. I’m focused on who’s here and we know who those guys are.
“Jamal is a name that — a guy that we’re looking at. He’s someone that we’ve expressed interest in, one of many names.”
The Suns are not averse to signing an older player on such a young team. Phoenix signed Trevor Ariza this past offseason and traded for Ryan Anderson. Both of those players are older with many seasons under their belt. However, they provide veteran leadership on a team that has an exciting and talented young core of players who may need guidance.
Crawford is one of the best bench players ever, winning the prestigious Sixth-Man of the Year award three times. He last won the award in the 2015-16 season as a member of the Los Angeles Clippers. And some of his former teammates are perplexed Jamal Crawford does not have a job yet.
? say it louder for the people in the back!!!! https://t.co/QOqesNl5MD
— Blake Griffin (@blakegriffin23) October 13, 2018
Perhaps Phoenix will be that place.
