NBA Free Agency rumors: Jamal Crawford secures buyout from the Hawks
After being dealt to the Atlanta Hawks in a sign-and-trade, Jamal Crawford has secured a buyout from the Hawks, making him a free agent.
Earlier in NBA Free Agency, the Los Angeles Clippers had come to terms with Danilo Gallinari, but didn’t have the salary cap space to bring him on. So the Clippers, Hawks and Nuggets engaged in a three-team trade that sent Gallinari to LA, Jamal Crawford, Diamond Stone and a 2018 first-round pick to Atlanta and a second-round pick to Denver.
In the process, Crawford was unhappy and looked for a buyout from the Hawks. Crawford didn’t want to be part of a full rebuild at age 37. He was due nearly $28 million over the next few years, but it looks like he won’t be getting paid to be a Hawk.
According to The Vertical’s Shams Charania, the Hawks have agreed to buy out Crawford’s contract, making him a free agent.
With this news coming in, Crawford becomes attractive to those teams looking to add a ring-chasing veteran. This past season in LA, averaged 12.3 points per game on 41 percent shooting. He’s still an effective jump shooter, but he’s also played 17 seasons in the NBA. At his age, he could be a piece off the bench for a contending team.
Per USA Today’s Sam Amick, the Minnesota Timberwolves, Cleveland Cavaliers and the Washington Wizards are front-runners for his services.
Reportedly, Crawford was interested in joining Cleveland and even called LeBron James about coming to play for the Cavaliers. The Cavs are looking to add role-playing, ring-chasing wings that will help them compete against Golden State.
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Minnesota is in desperate need of shooting from the outside and Washington’s looking to add depth to their bench. Crawford becomes one of the top free agents on the market and shouldn’t be there too long. Let’s see where the sharpshooter lands.