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The Cleveland Cavaliers are attempting to find ways to add to a roster that fell short of an NBA championship last season, and Cavs general manager David Griffin may have a way to do so.
Like the Cavaliers the Los Angeles Clippers are trying to add talent, but make sure they aren’t hurting themselves financially in the future.
With the trade earlier in the off-season to acquire Lance Stephenson they could be looking to dump Jamal Crawford who is scheduled to make $5 million through the 2015-2016 season.
It appears the Lance Stephenson deal could be pushing Jamal Crawford out of Los Angeles which could cut into his minutes.
“I know Jamal personally, and I know he would definitely like to be a part of the Cavaliers’ organization.
Jamal is one guy off the top of my head that I know would be a fit, and I know that they’ll be looking at him.
They want to use that exception for a wing player.”
– Chris Haynes Northeast Ohio Media Group
Haynes may know Crawford, but this tweet last month could be an indicator.
The Clippers main motivation would be salary relief if a deal between the two teams happens. The Clippers would get a trade exception created by the Cavs in the Brendan Haywood trade which saves the Clippers $16 million.
The Cavaliers are trying to not only add talent, but veterans that will gel together with the core that they have in place. Crawford would be an ideal fit only if they do not re-sign J.R. Smith which I think the Cavs should still do.
If the Cavs are set on Crawford it sounds like he would obviously be interested, but if you’re the Cavs you have to be hoping to use that as a bigger trade chip to possibly get a younger piece and a player with more years on his contract even though you cannot argue Jamal Crawford helps put this team in even better position to win the finals then last season.
At the age of 35, Crawford may be cheap after this final contract but it could be tough for the Cavs to sign him long-term after the season if that’s what Crawford wants.
Crawford would return to the team that originally drafted him, but never suited up for the team after being dealt draft night.
The opportunity to play alongside LeBron James, Kyrie Irving, and Kevin Love has to intrigue Crawford to hopefully compete for a championship.
