Free agent guard Jamal Crawford was not pleased with the Los Angeles Clippers offering him less than Austin Rivers' three-year, $35 deal, so he plans to sign elsewhere, according to the Orange County Register's Dan Woike:
According to a person with knowledge of the situation, free agent guard Jamal Crawford received an offer from the Los Angeles Clippers on Saturday that will likely lead to his exit. The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because of the private nature of the negotiations.
While the specifics of the Crawford offer were not known, it's clear that it came in well shy of the three-year, $35 million deal given to the son of Clippers coach and president of basketball operations, Doc Rivers, on the same day. It doesn't take a detective to figure out why Crawford may not be thrilled at the moment.
Crawford, 36, won Sixth Man of the Year for the third time this past season, and he did that after a summer full of trade rumors and significant changes to the Clippers' bench rotation. He only shot 40 percent from the field, though, and he's not exactly a defensive stopper.
With the Clippers out of the picture, Crawford could be headed to the Golden State Warriors. The Orange County Register reported mutual interest, and ESPN reported the Warriors have reached out to him, but nothing will happen until Kevin Durant makes his decision.
Crawford's fit in Golden State is questionable because of his defense, but he would give the team another playmaker. After the Oklahoma City Thunder and Cleveland Cavaliers slowed the Warriors down in the playoffs, they clearly want someone else who can create his own shot.
If going to Golden State does not work out, Crawford will have other options. Isaiah Thomas, a close friend, is already trying to recruit him to the Boston Celtics:
@JCrossover might as well come to Boston my brotha lol. I know we would take you!
— Isaiah Thomas (@Isaiah_Thomas) July 3, 2016
The Brooklyn Nets, looking for some leadership in the locker room, have "strong interest" in Crawford, according to ESPN. Before free agency began, the Miami Heat, Toronto Raptors, New York Knicks and Dallas Mavericks were also linked to him.
