Update 2:
The mutual interest between the Lakers and Jamal Crawford is reportedly dying off from both sides. The shooting guard is receiving interest from several other teams, according to Marc Spars of The Undefeated:
With Lakers interest dying on both sides, source says Crawford is expected to have interest from T-Wolves, Cavs & Wizards after bought out. https://t.co/Jl1EKdoo1O
— Marc J. Spears (@MarcJSpearsESPN) July 6, 2017
Update:
Crawford is willing to take a one-year deal, according to Brad Turner of the LA Times. That makes him a more likely candidate for the Lakers who are preserving their cap space for 2018. Crawford could opt to join contenders instead, however.
Lakers "a real option" for Jamal Crawford if gets buyout from Atlanta, source. Crawford open to taking 1 year deal. Clev. GSW also options.
— Brad Turner (@BA_Turner) July 4, 2017
Original story follows:
Jamal Crawford was traded by the LA Clippers to the Atlanta Hawks on Monday, but it’s unlikely that the former 6th Man of the Year will play there. Reports indicate that the Hawks are trying to trade the shooting guard but he will most likely be bought out of his contract to become a free agent.
According to Marc Spears of The Undefeated, Crawford prefers to remain in Los Angeles, hoping to sign with the Lakers. According to Spears, there is mutual interest:
Veteran guard Jamal Crawford’s preference would be to join rookie Lonzo Ball in the backcourt with the Lakers if he can get bought out of his contract, a source told The Undefeated. With his family based in Los Angeles and a solid relationship already in place with Ball, the current Los Angeles Clippers guard would like to sign as a free agent with the Lakers if he were bought out of his contract by the Atlanta Hawks after an expected multi-team trade that is expected to send Danilo Gallinari to the Clippers. The Lakers have strong interest in signing Crawford as well, a source said, and have the money to offer a respectable contract. Crawford could possibly start at shooting guard for the Lakers and be a big help as a mentor and shot maker for the assist creating Ball.
Crawford has struggled in recent years to keep up his level of play and his playmaking for others and lack of defense are not exactly what the Lakers need from free agent signings.
On the other hand, Crawford is known as a great teammate and could be a mentor to Ball and the Lakers’ other young players. He’s proven to be an incendiary scorer off the bench and could help the Lakers incredibly short guard rotation.
Last season, Crawford averaged 12.3 points and 2.6 assists per game, shooting 41.3 percent from the field and 36 percent from three.
