In wake of the L.A. Clippers‘ potential sign-and-trade that will bring veteran Danilo Gallinari to Los Angeles, the Cleveland Cavaliers have emerged as a possible trade partner in the scenario that includes former two-time Sixth Man of the Year Jamal Crawford being moved.
In the proposed deal, former Denver Nuggets forward Gallinari would head to L.A., former Atlanta Hawks forward would go to the Nuggets, and guard Jamal Crawford, center Diamond Stone, and a first round pick would go to the Hawks. In a rebuilding phase, however, the Hawks are not expected to keep Crawford and the $28.7 million he’s owed over the next two seasons. According to Brad Turner of the LA Times, the Cavaliers are believed to be one of the possible landing spots for Crawford if he’s bought out from his deal.
Crawford is set to earn $14.2 million next season and $14.5 million in the 2018-19 campaign, but only $3 million is guaranteed in the final season.
Despite coming off a third straight NBA Finals appearance, the Cavaliers possess the need to add more scoring and defense off the bench. Crawford would be a huge upgrade in the offensive area as he has the ability to create his own shot that could make him a reliable scorer that Cleveland lacked last season from their reserves.
His presence alongside 3-point specialist Kyle Korver, who signed a three-year, $22 million to return the Cavaliers, would provide them with much-needed offense off the bench. Despite showing some decline in his play, the 37-year-old played in all 82 games last season for the Clippers while averaging 12.3 points on 41.3 percent shooting from the field and 36 percent from beyond the arc.