Atlanta Hawks: Jamal Crawford wants trade if Hawks don’t extend his contract
Crawford wants out of Atlanta if he doesn't get an extension.
Jamal Crawford has told the Hawks he wants to be traded before the 2010-11 season if the team doesn’t offer a contract extension to his liking, according to a person with knowledge of the situation.
Crawford, whose current contract expires after the season, asked the Hawks for an extension last month but has yet to receive an answer from the team. If Atlanta balks at offering Crawford what he considers an extension reflecting his market value then he would rather play elsewhere for the final season of his contract, according to the person familiar with the circumstances.
The person did not want to be identified because neither Crawford nor the Hawks have commented on his desire for an extension. Hawks GM Rick Sund, who is on vacation, declined comment tonight through a team spokesman.
Sund’s practice has been to not extend contracts for veteran players who aren’t on their rookie-scale contracts.
Crawford, 30, will make $10.1 million in 2010-11. The Hawks acquired him in a trade with Golden State last summer and he thrived in a reserve role, often finishing games alongside Joe Johnson.
Crawford averaged 18 points during the regular season and 16.3 in the playoffs, both second on the team behind Johnson. Members of the media voted Crawford the league’s Sixth Man of the Year.
According to the person familiar with the situation, Crawford prefers to stay in Atlanta after he qualified for the playoffs for the first time in his 11 NBA seasons. But without a long-term commitment from the Hawks Crawford doesn’t want to play out the final season of his contract in Atlanta, the person said.
The Hawks may not have the financial will to add an extension for Crawford to their future salary commitments.
Signing Crawford to a large extension would likely push the Hawks’ 2010-11 payroll above the salary cap. Atlanta has about $50 million in salaries committed to 2011-12, including $18 million for Johnson and $12.4 million for forward Josh Smith.
In addition to those committed salaries, the Hawks might need to maintain flexibility to retain All-Star center Al Horford. Atlanta can work out a contract extension with Horford by November; if not, he would become a restricted free agent next season and could sign an offer sheet with another team that the Hawks would have the right to match.
If the Hawks decide to trade Crawford, they likely wouldn’t have much trouble finding good value in return. His scoring ability and expiring contract make him a valuable asset for teams seeking a talented shooting guard and/or salary relief following the season.
Crawford is seeking a contract extension while his value is high, but the uncertainty surrounding the expiring collective bargaining agreement and deals signed by other top sixth men also likely are contributing to his urgency.
The current labor agreement expires after the 2010-11 season and owners are seeking major concessions from players for the new CBA. If Crawford becomes a free agent next summer, he could be facing more restrictive contract rules under the new labor deal.
In determining his market value, Crawford is likely looking to contracts signed by fellow veteran reserve guards Manu Ginobili, Jason Terry and Ben Gordon.
Ginobili, who turned 33 last month, signed a three-year extension with San Antonio in April that’s worth about $39 million. Terry was 29 when Dallas signed him to a free-agent contract for $57 million over six years. And Gordon was 26 when he signed with Detroit last summer for five years and $58 million with a player option for the final season.
MC
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299 comments Add your comment
Najeh Davenpoop
August 28th, 2010
12:46 am
“Steve: Carmelo does not make us a championship caliber team.”
He does, however, get the Hawks a lot closer to a title than they are now. They would still have to find a couple of role players — mainly a defensive wing and someone to guard Dwight Howard — in order to be a true title contender, but acquiring Melo would give them the #1 scoring option they don’t currently have. You can’t underrate the significance of that.
SteveW
August 28th, 2010
12:47 am
The Truth – JJ was a Free Agent, his contract was not extended.
Carmelo is wanting an extension, he still has 1 season left.
If Jamal hits the open market after this season, the Nets, or Knicks would most likely vastly overpay for him – look what the Knicks did with Amare and the Nets did with Johan Petro.
And both teams still have tons of cash to spend, and an antsy fan base.
Buddy Grizzard
August 28th, 2010
12:48 am
All I can say is, I hope Sund at least tried to put a package together for Collison.
Najeh Davenpoop
August 28th, 2010
12:49 am
“People you have to look years ahead to gauge luxury tax and Melo would put the Hawks over luxury if we sign him and intend to keep him past this year. He is not worth going over luxury for in the future. He also is not worth giving up Josh or Al for which could keep us under luxury but really make us take a step back on the court because he plays absolutely no defense”
Gearon has said he would go over the tax for the right player. There is no question Melo would fill the seats. Seeing as how we are not paying the tax, as long as the owners are OK with it I see no reason why we shouldn’t be.
NUNNA!!
August 28th, 2010
12:50 am
STEVE W.,i like your thinking buddy!!
I do think that melo would be a great fit but i too worry about his health and his “weak a–”defense..But at least we gets da sexy “LALA” here in da atl..and that would make the real housewives of atlanta a more interesting show,lol..sexy a– girl!!
SteveW
August 28th, 2010
12:50 am
Najeh – that’s why I think signing Dampier would be so important, I think he could help defend Dwight.
And there are a ton of good wings left – Gilder, Wilkens, Hayes, Carney etc. All looking like Vet Min. guys.
We are close to being a championship team…1 or 2 smart pieces away.
Again, I co-sign with Najeh.
truthspitter
August 28th, 2010
12:54 am
Najeh: You usually look at the full situation. Have you been drinking tonite? (LMAO) Wilson Chandler and Curry for Jamal and Mo, I would do Chandler for Jamal straight-up considering SF depth is more of a need for this team than SG depth and Chandler could come off the bench and give you a nice spark while not duplicating your best position like Jamal. We were forced to play Joe, Bibby, and Jamal together for offense sometimes last year. I think Bibby, Joe, and Chandler would be just as good with better defense. Jamal and Bibby should never see the floor together and it was not just Woody, they would have to do the same thing this year at times also
Ramon
August 28th, 2010
12:56 am
Truth, I’m sorry but Carmelo would make this a championship caliber team. JJ, Melo, Josh, and Al is a better four man team than Wade, James, Bosh, and Z when you put the pieces together. Also if that deal was to happen, you’d be surprise what veteran big man you could get to come in for the veteran’s minimum.
Najeh Davenpoop
August 28th, 2010
1:06 am
“Wilson Chandler and Curry for Jamal and Mo, I would do Chandler for Jamal straight-up considering SF depth is more of a need for this team than SG depth and Chandler could come off the bench and give you a nice spark while not duplicating your best position like Jamal. ”
Of course I realize the Hawks have a bigger hole at SF than at SG — I’m just not convinced that based on what I’ve seen Chandler is the guy who will fill that hole. Chandler has always seemed to me like one of those players who is league-average at a lot of things but not particularly good at any one thing. In D’Antoni’s wide open offense he still didn’t put up numbers that were a whole lot more impressive than Marvin’s numbers. I definitely support trading Crawford for a SF who would be a clear upgrade over Marvin. I’m just not convinced Chandler is that guy. I think the Hawks can do a lot better than Chandler in a Crawford trade.
Section 303
August 28th, 2010
1:06 am
Najeh, I don’t agree with you at all on Wilson Chandler. I’ve watched that guy play a lot. He is a tough player and is way more of a factor in most games than Marvin.
truthspitter
August 28th, 2010
1:07 am
Ramon: There are no veteran big men out there worth coming, maybe Dampier but considering Bobcats are in our division, if I were them I would make sure not to release him just to block him from the Hawks
Section 303
August 28th, 2010
1:08 am
“Hawks not worried about Jamal Crawford-seeking-trade report. They will offer him extension next week, and confident agreement will follow. “–Sam Amico, via Twitter.
I Heart Atlanta
August 28th, 2010
1:09 am
Appreciate it MC Ur The Best
The Truth
August 28th, 2010
1:10 am
If ownership insists on staying under the L tax, then this idea of pursuing Melo in a Jamal + Marvin trade is nothing but a pipe dream. If they can’t afford to extend Jamal 10M contract, than how in the hell can they afford to pay Melo the dough he is seeking? If Sund is not recommending keeping Jamal, the only cheap and lazy way out is to exchange expiring contract of equal value. Of course such a move would only pissed the fans off even further since Jamal was pivotal in our 53 win season.
truthspitter
August 28th, 2010
1:11 am
Najeh: the Hawks are not going over the luxury. So, tell me one guy better than Chandler they can get without being willing to go over the luxury threshold? Just one and please be reasonable. I don’t care what the ASG say they are not going into luxury threshold don’t believe that hype. Now if you can sensibly accept the truth and that is, I repeat, they are not going into luxury tax, give me 1 player better than Chandler that they can get and not go into luxury anytime soon. Meaning this year and next year when they have to resign Al. Just one, 1?
truthspitter
August 28th, 2010
1:13 am
Section 303: The Hawks management are even worse than I thought if they are going into luxury territory to resign Jamal Crawford. So, I will not believe that until I see it
SteveW
August 28th, 2010
1:16 am
Gearon Jr. said we would go over the luxury tax for the right player – stranger things have happened….but I’m not holding my breath.
Ditch Jamal – ditch Marvin – throw in a couple of 1st picks – get ‘Melo, see what happens.
Najeh Davenpoop
August 28th, 2010
1:19 am
“If ownership insists on staying under the L tax, then this idea of pursuing Melo in a Jamal + Marvin trade is nothing but a pipe dream.”
“Najeh: the Hawks are not going over the luxury. ”
Gearon has clearly said he would go over the tax for “the right guy”. Maybe he’s full of sh-t, who knows. But if he is telling the truth, I find it hard to believe one of the top five scorers in the league isn’t “the right guy”.
Najeh Davenpoop
August 28th, 2010
1:19 am
“If somebody came to us tomorrow and said you can have LeBron for max money and it puts you in the luxury tax, I’d do it in a heartbeat,” Gearon told the newspaper on May 19. “But am I going to do that for [Zydrunas] Ilgauskas? Am I going to do it for Jermaine O’Neal? I don’t think so …”
Najeh Davenpoop
August 28th, 2010
1:24 am
“Najeh: the Hawks are not going over the luxury. So, tell me one guy better than Chandler they can get without being willing to go over the luxury threshold? ”
I proposed one idea a couple of blogs ago, where if Denver trades Melo to someone else, the Hawks trade Crawford and Mo Evans for Chauncey Billups (who has a team option for next season that the Hawks could choose to decline).
Here’s another one — Crawford for Caron Butler straight up. Salaries match, and Butler plays SF.
Najeh Davenpoop
August 28th, 2010
1:27 am
Another reason why Crawford for Caron Butler might work — Rodrigue Beaubois broke his foot a couple of weeks ago and is probably out for at least the start of the NBA season.
Butler’s contract is expiring, so it wouldn’t increase the amount of salary the Hawks would owe.
Najeh Davenpoop
August 28th, 2010
1:30 am
Here’s another one — Crawford and Mo Evans for Tayshaun Prince (expiring) and Ben Wallace (one more year at $2 million after this one).
NUNNA!!
August 28th, 2010
1:30 am
My opinion is that we should have a fire sale and rebuild..
Tradem all ASG!!
I love jamaal,smoove,and especially horford.But,this is the last year that we’ll be able to do anything..
Let Teague and JC2 start at the guards.
Trade Jamaal and Marvin to any low mid or lower record team for draft picks.
Trade Bibbs,next years 1st round pick and Mo to Denver for JR SMITH &Othello Hunter and a 2nd rounder.
Trade Horford to bobcats for Damp and 2 1st round picks over the next 2 years.
Trade Zsa Zsa and his liquor store to a 30 or less win team for their 2nd round pick next year..
Sign Duke Crews..
Resign Joe Smith..
Sign Didier Ilunga-Mbenga to play center off the bench behind Jason Collins..
PG-TEAGUE/WILL BYNUM
SG-JC2/FLIP MURRAY
CENTER-JASON COLLINS/Didier Ilunga-Mbenga
PF-EARL BARRON/JOE SMITH/DUKE CREWS
SF-JOE JOHNSON/KENYON MARTIN&TRINA/OTHELLO HUNTER
YOU GET:
MOTION OFFENSE,WITH THE CAPABILITY OF PLAYING RUN AND GUN AND A HALF COURT GAME TOO…EASILY COACHED PLAYOFF TEAM..12 DEEP..DECENT DEFENSE..DECENT OFFENSE..AND A SLEEPY NUNNA!! THAT WAS FEELING THIS LINEUP A MINUTE AGO AND NOW I AM SAYING,WTF???
GODS NITE YALL
truthspitter
August 28th, 2010
1:30 am
Najeh: I’m not a fan of Butler, he is really a SG in disguise as a SF, and I don’t see Dallas doing that because who then plays SF for them. Chauncey is not good on defense at this point. I watched the World Championships the other day and guys were going past him whenever they choose Bibby style.
Najeh Davenpoop
August 28th, 2010
1:31 am
I’m not necessarily saying the other team would accept these trades, but they are more or less even in terms of talent and they would address current weaknesses of the Hawks’ roster. To me, Crawford for Chandler is a clear downgrade, whereas Crawford for Butler is not. Prince’s stats don’t measure up to Crawford, but his basketball IQ and defensive abilities don’t necessarily show up in the stat sheet.
Najeh Davenpoop
August 28th, 2010
1:32 am
“I’m not a fan of Butler, he is really a SG in disguise as a SF, and I don’t see Dallas doing that because who then plays SF for them.”
Shawn Marion, who unlike Butler is signed to a long term deal. Tim Thomas is also on the roster.
truthspitter
August 28th, 2010
1:35 am
Here’s another one — Crawford and Mo Evans for Tayshaun Prince (expiring) and Ben Wallace (one more year at $2 million after this one).
@ Najeh: That’s not a bad trade but I think they would want a draft pick. They are not going anywhere this year. So, they will definitely want some youth out of this. New York on the other hand, they think they can get to the playoffs this year and they reportedly were willing to offer Chandler for Rudy Fernandez. So, they are looking for a SG. Add to that my opinion that Chandler is better than Prince at this point. Prince can’t even stay healthy and they would probably want a pick. Not a better trade than what I proposed IMO
truthspitter
August 28th, 2010
1:38 am
Najeh: I’m glad you are not making draft picks or these moves because I respectively disagree with you on Crawford for Chandler being a clear downgrade. It is a upgrade IMO. Chandler is younger and better fulfills a need.
night hawk
August 28th, 2010
1:40 am
nunna im almost feeling that line up. your guards will be interchangeable just for matchups and if anyone gets into foul trouble.i would start flip and bynum and let the kids come off the bench though.and if your gonna have someone other than a stellar performer starting at center you might want to bring in nazr mohammed.other than that its not a terrible lineup.your not gonna win a champiionship but you can have youth,and experience in a nice mix that could shock some people and maybe even upset a heat team in the 1st round.
not saying it will happen but,just saying
Najeh Davenpoop
August 28th, 2010
1:44 am
“Najeh: I’m glad you are not making draft picks or these moves because I respectively disagree with you on Crawford for Chandler being a clear downgrade. It is a upgrade IMO. ”
Chandler is a better player than Crawford? How exactly is that?
I’ll admit that I may not have seen enough of Chandler to have a clear picture of him, but I can only go by what I have seen, and I haven’t seen him do anything in a game to really stand out. He seems like another Marvin, a guy with decent athleticism who could theoretically be really good but who in reality doesn’t make much of an impact. Maybe I’m way off in my assessment and he’s actually a quality player, but I still have a hard time seeing him being as good as the reigning SMOY. It’s one thing to say that Crawford for Chandler is a fair deal, but to say it’s a talent upgrade I think is stretching the truth beyond its breaking point.
Najeh Davenpoop
August 28th, 2010
1:45 am
Last year was the first time since his rookie year that Prince didn’t play all 82 games. I don’t think it’s fair to label him as a guy who can’t stay healthy when he went six straight seasons without missing a game.
truthspitter
August 28th, 2010
1:48 am
Wilson Chandler would be better fit for Hawks than Jamal Crawford, bottom line IMO. Younger, not one-dimensional, meaning, Chandler gives you the same rebounding Marvin did last year and more points, Crawford gives you points and bad defense, and Chandler will not cost you anything close to $10 million a year going forward.
truthspitter
August 28th, 2010
1:51 am
Najeh: youre correct about Prince but I hate to say this. Prince is one of the few players in the world that I would not say is better than Marvin.
Mike10
August 28th, 2010
2:03 am
I say give him an extension he was the key to the Hawks success and one of the most consistant, if they trade him I think they definitely be worst off.Thats why the should have not gave Joe all that money and used some for Jamal/Horford.
Ramon
August 28th, 2010
2:08 am
Here are Three deals for you either Crawford for Harris (NJN) straight up, or Crawford and Bibby for Arenas. And one more, Crawford for D. Jordan (Clippers)
I Heart Atlanta
August 28th, 2010
2:38 am
Realistic option
Pacers get Jamal Crawford
Hawks get D. Jones, James Posey….. Makes us much better defensively
Fresh
August 28th, 2010
2:39 am
“Some of Crawford’s frustration, according to sources, is that the Hawks gave All-Star Johnson a six-year, $119 million contract, but have yet to offer Crawford anything.” – via ESPN
So Jamal don’t like the idea that JJ got a big-time contract and he didn’t…….
Ramon
August 28th, 2010
2:44 am
I heart, that’s not a terrible deal, but how much is owed to Posey?
I Heart Atlanta
August 28th, 2010
2:57 am
Around 7 mil. I believe, and it worked on the NBA trade machine
truthspitter
August 28th, 2010
3:50 am
Crawford is garbage and that is disruptive to the team if he is jealous of Joe and what Joe is getting. That is the definition of the hater. I never liked Crawford and I see why
Grumpy
August 28th, 2010
7:00 am
Trade his ungrateful A@@ to Minnesota.
Samuel
August 28th, 2010
7:00 am
That’s what you get for giving- no show Joe Johnson a contract that he didn’t deserve. He got payed like he was an elite player. If you watch the playoffs, you know he can’t carry a team.
Derek
August 28th, 2010
7:25 am
Let’s see how ASG screw this one up. I think it’s fair for Jamal to get what’s coming to him. He is the one person on this team that’s performed worthy of what he’s askng. I plead with you Hawks; please find a way to keep Jamal. You know that we need him and apparently he wants to be here. You have done everything else wrong this offseason. Let’s try to salvage something from this disasterous summer.
Derek
August 28th, 2010
7:26 am
Forgive my grammatical mistake in the first sentence. Should be ” Let’s see how ASG screws this one up.”
STRETCH
August 28th, 2010
7:49 am
SteveW,
I know exactly what you mean, but do the HAWKS know it??? Makes good sense, lets hope they are thinking like we are.
RomeDawg
August 28th, 2010
7:55 am
Don’t let the door hit ya where the good Lord split ya! I hate the attitudes of athletes. Play out your contract and shut up.
JeJe
August 28th, 2010
8:12 am
WELL WE ALL KNOW THE ASG: WAITING TIL THE ABSOLUTE LAST POSSIBLE SECOND TO GIVE EXTENSIONS. NEVER GIVING AN EXTENSION BEFORE THEY HAVE TO.
ANY IDIOT GM WOULD GIVE HORFORD AN EXTENSION NOW. BUT IDIOT MORON SUND WON’T
GOOD JOB MORON
richham
August 28th, 2010
8:24 am
These pro athletes act like children sometimes. What is the point of signing a contract if you are not going to honor it. The team that trades for him isn’t going to give him a new deal either.
GREED, GREED, GREED!
Hmmm
August 28th, 2010
8:24 am
1st Unit:
Billups
Joe Johnson
Carmelo
J-Smoove
Al Horford
2nd Unit:
Jeff Teague
Jordan Crawford
Pape Sy
Josh Powell
Zaza
Extra:
Jason Collins
(3mill TPE Player)
Hawks will be a legit 2010-11 Title Contender
MAKE IT HAPPEN RICK.
STRETCH
August 28th, 2010
8:26 am
Hmmm,
I LIKE THAT LINEUP!