Two teams aching to reinforce their backcourt are reportedly in a tug-of-war for the services of combo guard and streakshooter Jamal Crawford.
The Los Angeles Clippers could be looking to dump Crawford's $5.7-million salary, made all the more stronger with reports that DeAndre Jordan has had a change of heart and may return to the Clippers after all.
And two teams are keenly interested in a trade for the Clippers guard – the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Miami Heat.
The Cavs could be looking at Crawford now as the return of J.R. Smith to the fold is uncertain.
The Cavs are trying to work on their salary budget, and Crawford can help, aside from the fact that he is a proven scorer whom coach David Blatt could put to good use. Brendan Haywood seems to be the player up for trade, especially since the Clippers were looking to replace Jordan.
Crawford is one of two players the Cavs are reportedly eyeing. The other is Joe Johnson, but he comes at a steep price. It seems all but imminent that the Cavs will be going over the salary cap next season, though any savings they can get at the moment seems to be pretty much the task for the Cavs.
On the other end, the Heat's interest in Crawford is hardly surprising. The team is looking to bounce back, and Crawford will likely be a prime candidate coming off the bench behind a returning Dwyane Wade and a re-signed Goran Dragic.
Though there is no word on who the Heat would trade for Crawford, it could involve Chalmers and Chris Andersen. The two players are the ones rumored to be up for trade in recent days, though it remains to be seen if the Clippers will be interested in such a deal.
