Atlanta Hawks: Jamal Crawford prepared to ‘go elsewhere’ without extension
Jamal Crawford isn’t happy about his contract situation. It’s been obvious to those around him at Hawks camp that his demeanor isn’t the same. He’s being a professional but the enthusiasm is lacking.
So far, Crawford has stopped short of publicly expressing his displeasure with the Hawks for not offering a contract extension. In that way he’s taking a different tact than Kenyon Martin in Denver and Aaron Brooks in Houston.
But Crawford’s stance might be shifting a bit. At media day Monday he was careful to avoid talking about the possibility of leaving the Hawks. Now, with GM Rick Sund still not offering an extension and also resisting trade inquiries, Crawford sounds more urgent about the issue.
“You think something is solid and a family you just want that to be what it is,” Crawford said today “I would love to be here long term, no doubts about it. I would love to lock that up before I become a free agent. I want to make it work here. But if that is not the plan I guess I will go elsewhere.”
Crawford will make $10.1 million this year. He is seeking a new deal after winning the NBA’s Sixth Man Award while helping the Hawks to 53 victories and the No. 3 playoffs seed in the East. The uncertainty with the expiring collective bargaining agreement also is a major factor in his desire for an extension.
Sund has declined comment on Crawford’s situation, citing his policy of not discussing players’ contracts. He typically hasn’t offered extensions on veteran contracts. The exceptions have been cases in which the player could expect a maximum contract in free agency like Joe Johnson.
If Crawford were to become a free agent next summer, he would be among the top players available.
“There is a part of me that is comfortable with that,” he said. “But my whole thing is loyalty. I’m a loyal person. And I thought the Hawks were big to step up and give me an opportunity to go further. I thought I played my role to the best of my abilities, and I just want to be here a long time.
“I don’t want to compete [for a contract] and have to go anywhere else but if I am not in the future plans then I guess that is what I will have to do.”
In the meantime, Crawford is doing what’s asked of him at camp. His back tightened up during practice Thursday and Hawks coaches offered to let him sit out sprints at the end of the session but Crawford finished.
He said he’s trying to separate the business from the basketball
“That’s the tough part,” he said. “I’m just taking it one day at a time, being supportive of my teammates. I have the utmost respect for Coach Drew and his staff, that’s for sure. I try to do as much as possible without my mind wandering too much. [But] at times, you can ‘overthink’ it instead of just going with the flow.”
MC
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113 comments Add your comment
SteveW
October 2nd, 2010
10:39 pm
Jamal and Bibby for Williams, Nocioni, and Kapano from Philly. Why? Nocioni and Kapano are because of expiring contracts. And Lou Williams is a future star – per of 18.2 last year. Gives us 3 G’s 23 or younger – and Williams is cheaper – 5m per for the next 3 years. Philly may bite just to get rid of Nocioni and Kapano (now those are bad contracts) – and to help Jrue at PG. Bibby can mentor him, and there is some talk in NBA circles that having Lou there is hurting Jrue – he feels like if he makes a mistake, they just go back to Lou. I’m sure there are many other trades that can make the Hawks better – Trade machine says we have a +2 with this one.
Jae Evolution
October 2nd, 2010
10:40 pm
If we have to trade Jamal why not send him and Mo to NJ and we recieve Troy Murphy (New Sixth Man) and Damion James our original 1st round pick. Troy could bring scoring off the bench and Damion James is a perfect backup or he could push Marvin for minutes.
The funny thing is when I tried this on Trade Machine it projected the Hawks to lose 8 games and the Nets to gain 8 wins because of this, Jamal is good, but he isn’t THAT important, at least to me.
Thoughts?
JeJe
October 2nd, 2010
10:50 pm
Sund will offer Crawford a 1-year Veteran’s Minimum deal next August.
Hmmm
October 2nd, 2010
11:29 pm
Kobe Bryant says he’d beat Lebron James in a 1 on 1- “I’d do that in my sleep”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gnDrm8YPSBE&feature=player_embedded
cp
October 2nd, 2010
11:30 pm
IF he is going to be a distraction then put him on the block. I understand why he wants a new contract but it would make no sense to give him one with the upcoming CBA. LD has a lot on his plate as it is he does not need a guy who is going to pout and whine all year.
Hmmm
October 2nd, 2010
11:41 pm
http://www.slamonline.com/online/media/slam-tv/2010/10/video-kobe-i%e2%80%99d-beat-lebron-1-on-1/comment-page-1/#comment-1323603
Hmmm
October 2nd, 2010
11:48 pm
http://www.slamonline.com/online/media/slam-tv/2010/10/for-old-times-sake-baron-davis/
Jamal & Bibby For Baron Davis. I’d Do it. He’d fit perfectly in this offense. We could even give them Mo to sweeten the deal. LOL
Hmmm
October 2nd, 2010
11:49 pm
I’m just kiddin BTW.
Grandad
October 3rd, 2010
1:07 am
Is it so hard for Sund to pick up the phone & talk to the man?
Rather yet, walk down to the gym and shake hands then act as if
you actualy are concerned one way or the other…..then talk.
What is so darned hard about communication?
Why the silent treatment?
Is it some sort of gamesmanship?
In the meanwhile LD & the Hawks are in the process of
“team building”.
You reckon Sund even understands that concept? [Team]
I’m not taking up for Jamal, [so much], as it seems to me
that the ball is in Sund’s court.
Sund’s strategy – “4 corners” delay, until time runs out.
tbhawksfan
October 3rd, 2010
3:08 am
Jamals’ own quotes show how full of crap he is. $10m and a chance to earn his next contract arn’t enough, he wants to get paid when he’s already getting paid. Sund has no card to play except to work a trade that favors the Hawks, barring that, Crawford needs to shut up and play.
Watch him go to another team and revert back to the player that he was before the Hawks put him in a position to play at 6th man level.
Barring a beneficial trade, a few DNPs might bring him back to reality.
Sleepy
October 3rd, 2010
3:21 am
Are some hawks fans this dumb ? Do they not know hat an extension is ? How is he not honoring his contract ? A guy who is in the last year of his deal who shows up for work and requests that his contract be EXTENDED is nowhere not honoring his contract.
Imo Sund probably promised the guy a future here and then after he got here was still open to it but after Marvin,Bibby,and Zaza bombed well now Jamal is the only chip he has to play and so now he is no longer open to an extension and is stalling .
I think if Sund goes to Jamals house and tells him that we want to rent him for a year and then auction him off so drop his opt out that jamal probably says no and takes his chances in last summers free agency .
I think thats what keeps getting forgotten here that a deal was made that required jamal giving up his opt out or he wouldve been a free agent last summer.
At this point Im not even advocating resigning because I feel we positioned ourselves for mediocrity once we resigned Joe however if people think that we wouldve come anywhere near 50 wins last year without him Jamal are kidding themselves and simply ignoring that Marvin,Bibby,Zaza were all horrible
As for Jamal will scare other teams away crowd well thats just crazy. He isnt asking out because he doesnt want to be here hes asking to stay and we are telling him no or better yet not saying anything . When you do that to the 6th man of the year the other teams in the league are looking at you funny not jamal.
Also one thing to consider if that if Sund resigns jamal now and then Al next summer well then the following summer Smoove will be eligible for an extension and will expect one early .
Grandad is right about the communication issue and I think it goes back to what he told jamal when he flew to his house to get him drop his player option so we would agree to the trade .
~~MAC-ToWN~~ (Area Code 478 Westside Macon)
October 3rd, 2010
4:37 am
eff Jamal Crawford and any other players that act like him. If you are a player on a team then your effort, attitude and enthusiasm should remain in high spirits….dont mop around because something isnt going your way. Try that in a job outside of professional sports and see how that works for ya slim.
if he acts like he doesnt want to be on the Hawks without that extension then ship his martian lookin a** somewhere else.
~~MAC-ToWN~~ (Area Code 478 Westside Macon)
October 3rd, 2010
4:40 am
if jamal didnt like making the playoffs for the first time in his career with the Hawks, then maybe he wants to go back to a 30-35 win team where he can be a starter and take a million shots a game.
ejh
October 3rd, 2010
4:52 am
I think the Hawks need to find a way to extend Jamal. If you think back to last season when Joe was not on his game which was often Jamal carried this team. Now you take him away and what options do you have when the offense becomes stagnant. You are going to need two good scoring options on the floor when you are matched up against Lebron and Wade. Not only that but people tend to forget when Jamal came here the first thing the hawks asked him when they traded for him was not to opt out of his contract when he got here, because he could have opted out after he got to Atlanta before the season started and he kept his word and did not opt out. So when he speaks of loyalty, he was loyal and now he expects the Hawks/Rick Sund to do the same, so I understand his sentiment. Once again management is lying to the fans and the players.
tbhawksfan
October 3rd, 2010
5:28 am
” take him away and what options do you have when the offense becomes stagnant ”
You’re agument becomes invalid when you care to add in the options of trading his mopeing, complaining self. We traded for him and we can trade him. Or he plays out his contract and we decide at the end of the season if he’s important to the future of the Hawks.
I don’t like Craws position or managements position but given the situation, the Hawks should either trade him in a trade that benefits the Hawks or expect him to play out his contract with professional application.
compatibility
October 3rd, 2010
7:23 am
do your job and stfu. unless you have something positive to say. or you might get your wish.
like a trade to NJ and back to irrelevance!
MsDee
October 3rd, 2010
8:17 am
@Grandad
Actually, Sund is not obligated to speak to Jamal. Before Jamal started speaking out into the media about wanting an extension or to be traded, he should have gone to Sund first! And I dont mean speaking to Sund via his agents but Jamal speaking to Sund face-to-face. If Jamal would have went about this in a more professional way, Sund would have broke it down to Jamal and would explained to him that if the more franchise player(AL Horford) would sign to a ‘reasonable’ contract, than both the franchise player and the rotational player(JC1) would have a deal..but if the franchise player feels he is worth more than a ‘reasonable’ contract, then AL wins and JC1 loses. If Jamal cant understand that, then he must not know much about business because as we all know, professional sports are nothing but BUSINESS!!
truthspitter
October 3rd, 2010
8:19 am
Rick Sund sucks just as bad or worse than Billy Knight.
Bad Moves:
Marvin’s contract amount
Bibby’s contract length
Zaza’s contract length
Good Moves
Josh Smith contract
TBD
The firing of Woody. The guy won with a team of players playing out of position and diminishing skills. Al out of position, Josh does not have ideal size for PF, and Bibby diminishing skills and they fire him. I just don’t see someone doing any better with this flawed roster.
Jamal’s contract: How Sund handles this means a lot. We could actually get a good young player for Jamal from a team that just needs a little fire power to take the next step. If we don’t get anything out of Jamal then I just don’t see the trade as a true success. Yes he won 6th man of the year and we won a couple of more games but we really are no better. We need to turn this into some other players who can help us take the next step.
Joe’s contract: We don’t know how this will work out but if Joe declines badly within the next 2 to 3 years this contract will totally destroy the Hawks payroll.
Al’s contract: Big move here. If Al makes it to the FA market and the bidding wars this team is either going into luxury tax or they will not be able to resign him.
Draft picks: Sund has not drafted a big yet and that is still arguably our biggest hole. The one SF he did draft he traded in Damion James and that is another big hole. He did draft a PG but that guy is not a true PG and did not play PG exclusively in college, Teague. JC2 is a small SG 6-4, which is about Flip’s height. Both guys that he has drafted in the 1st round have built in flaws. You really don’t go around looking for those type of players IMO. I hope they both work out but I have my doubts about both ever being good starters in the NBA.
In conclusion with all the flaws that Knight had he did select Josh and Al and get Joe in a trade. Yes he made mistakes with his draft picks of Sheldon, Marvin, Law, and to some extinct Chillz but he is no worse than Sund whose good moves pal in comparison to his bad moves also. Sund sucks and should be held accountable hopefully he can do something with the expiring contracts we have along with the trade exception, but I doubt it. When someone has been doing something for 50 years they become stuck in there ways and too stubborn for there own good, not to even mention the good of others.
dirtypimp
October 3rd, 2010
8:19 am
We need to trade Bibby, Jamal, Marvin, and our next 3 picks for Melo, Billups, Nene, and Denver’s next 3 second rounders. Win win for both teams. Denver gets two expiring contracts a servicable forward and 3 picks to rebuild with. Obviously this is all predicated on Melo agreeing to an extension, but this would be great for the Hawks, because we would have a top 10 type player in Melo, a veteran defensive minded point guard who can actually get to the bucket, and a true center. Team them up with JJ and Al that’s a starting five that can compete, on paper, with Lakers, Celtics, and Heat. Plus our bench would still feature Josh Smith Jeff Teague, Mo, and the Zsa Zsa.
Maurice
October 3rd, 2010
8:20 am
He’s not complaining! Sure he’s dissatisfied with not getting an EXTENSION but who doesn’t want job SECURITY! Like most people in this world he wants to finish where he think he belongs. It has everything to do with money and everything to do with his team and teammates. And seriously without Jamal last year, Atlanta would have been irrelevant. He deserves an extension and one should have been given to him at the end of the season. We do not have a surplus of talented players on our team that can take over the game. We have two. Jamal and Joe. They should not be on the court at the same time, which is the way they played last season. Extend his contract and we will contend with Miami year in and year out. Don’t and we become irrelevant again.
MsDee
October 3rd, 2010
8:20 am
Rick Sund is the BOSS, not the employee..he doesnt HAVE to say anything to Jamal. As long as Sund is doing what is required in his contract, than Sund doesnt owe Jamal nothing but a 10mil paycheck during this last season. If anything, Jamal is starting to fail on his end of the bargain by complaining and not giving his ALL so far in practices.
MsDee
October 3rd, 2010
8:24 am
Dont get me wrong, I LOVE JAMAL, but he should have gone about this in the RIGHT WAY but he didnt and he is suffering the consequences by not getting the answers or responses from Sund like he wanted.
b jones
October 3rd, 2010
11:09 am
Hallelujah, MsDee!
Jamal, why you gonna weep about earning 10 mil, then be a free agent? can’t you put a little of that cash away to tide you over during the lockout?
quit youre f n whinin and ball. if you keep cryin about it nobody will want your b*tcha$$.
i_am_soulstar
October 3rd, 2010
11:14 am
Jamal knows what he’s doing. He’s not stupid by any means. He knows they’re stacked at his position, he knows the CBA is coming up, and he knows Horford’s extension is the priority. He’s also very aware of a Jordan Crawford who plays a very similar 6th man style of basketball, and could likely be an inexpensive replacement.
From the moment they traded for Jordan Crawford, he knew his shot at an extension might be in trouble.
ant banks
October 3rd, 2010
11:19 am
I CAN UNDERSTAND JAMAL’S POSITION: “i be damned if i bus’ my azz to help the hawks get back to the playoffs goin’ 20 and 5 a night, only for them to let me go. i can not hustle as much, not give my best and still get paid the same amount.”
I CAN UNDERSTAND THE HAWK’S POSITION: “jamal is under contract. he is due to make 10mil this year.”
the hawks are in the worse position, in this case. WE NEED JAMAL. A HAPPY EMPLOYEE IS A GOOD EMPLOYEE.
ant banks
October 3rd, 2010
11:21 am
WHAT IS THE LEAST AMOUNT THAT WE CAN OFFER JAMAL AND NOT GO OVER THE CAP AND STILL BE ABLE TO RE-SIGN HORFORD?
JoJo the Godfather
October 3rd, 2010
11:27 am
As soon as Jamal threw out the “trade” word, then fans start to question his true desire to be here and start speculating that its more about money than anything else…He could have easily said this is where I want to be no matter what…That he’s willing to work with Sund on a fair deal, and his door is always open…That then puts all the pressure on Sund.
Mz. Hawkdafied
October 3rd, 2010
11:28 am
Josh Smith talks to Fox Sports dated September 25, 2010.
http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=106632623
Crawford Prepared to 'Go Elsewhere'
October 3rd, 2010
11:31 am
[...] else but if I am not in the future plans then I guess that is what I will have to do.” Atlanta Hawks: Jamal Crawford prepared to ‘go elsewhere’ without extension | Atlanta Haw… The 2010-11 Minnesota Timberpuppies Reply With Quote + Reply to [...]
i_am_soulstar
October 3rd, 2010
11:43 am
But it’s not just the Hawks, other GMs like Daryl Morey with the Rockets have refused to give talented players an extension. Morey simply says there’s a new CBA on the horizon and it would make sense to wait and see rather than overpay his players.
Hawk n the Ham
October 3rd, 2010
11:47 am
It will only be a matter of time this season Jamal gets traded for a SF.
Brazil!
October 3rd, 2010
11:51 am
Jamal! Shut up and play. Sund, don’t give that one-dimensional player an extension. Trade his sorry behind for a SF. Bring Childress back!
rusty
October 3rd, 2010
11:54 am
no one is going to give us equal value in trade known our circumstance. any one who thinks jj is much better than jc dosent know basketball. jj cant drive hard to the basket & holds the ball way to long. he is what he is , a player who needs the ball in his hands to be effective. he dosn’t draw fouls or make things happen with the ball in his hands. he tries to take the game over in crutch time but tends to hog the ball. he is really not a clutch player. fans need to be real they dont accept the truth
Saint Richt
October 3rd, 2010
12:10 pm
Doesn’t this dude get it? He’s NOT going to get an extension in Atlanta. There’s this little issue of Al Horford and the fact that it’s the ASG…………doesn’t matter, mediocrity abounds! It’s the mid/late 90s all over again! HOORAY AVERAGE!
terrell
October 3rd, 2010
12:13 pm
Who was Jamal Crawford before he put on a Hawks uniform? Just your average “streaky” NBA sg, that played no D, and had never even tasted the Playoffs. I like you Jamal, but come on. An extension? Please! When was the last time a 6th man, not named Ginobli, got an extension? Play out your contract? Looks like JC2 was an excellent pick by Sund. Put him on the market Sund. See what we can get for him. Sf, Center maybe? Dont want a bad apple in LD’s basket.
jhan
October 3rd, 2010
12:32 pm
Saint Richt – bet your namesake would like to have an average football team right now!!
Hawks Fan In New Orleans
October 3rd, 2010
12:43 pm
Lauryn Hill said it best, “miscommunication leads to complications.” LOST ONES.
There are a lot of unknowns but if JC1 did not attempt to speak to Sund directly and not through the media spin, then there is an error on his part.
Likewise, if Sund made certain verbal promises like, “do great here and you have a future in Atlanta,” but then after he wins 6th man of the year, he drafts a young 2 guard with same skillsets and even name ‘Crawford’ and not offer JC1 an extension – that’s an egregious error on his part.”
Sund possibly lied through the skin of his teeth to get him here. The least he could do is tell him the real deal concerning his future here. No employer should treat his standout employees like that-creating unwarranted disdain in the locker room.
Wally Walker
October 3rd, 2010
12:49 pm
Brazil,you are correct! Jamal should appreciate the opportunity afforded by the Hawks. Not only is he getting 10 mil this year, but a real opportunity to perform on a meaningful team. His performance last year will assure him; a multi year contract from a contender as oppose to a garbage team. This year will be his last year with the Hawks, but still a real chance to possibly contend for a title as well as improve his stock. Now, he is respected as a solid player(SMOY)and a true hired gun. Offense will always be a premium in the league with added leadership(he’s 30)any contending team would desire his services.
Next as crazy as it may sound, the Hawks should trade Marvin and the second round pick received in the JChill pick to Phoenix for JChillz. He is far better suited for the new offense design as well as a better defender and rebounder. Next, trade Mo for anybody’s second round pick as a salary dump. Then sign, Damien Wilkins as the back up SF. Now with almost 3mil saved from the Marvin and MO trades, the Hawks could sign Dampier to a 1 year deal. Moreover with Marvin and Jamal’s contracts gone, next year the signing of Al to a long term deal is made easier!
Ga Hawks!
drmaryb (*_*)
October 3rd, 2010
12:57 pm
Nuts and Bolts!
I don’t hear Al complaining about the final year of his contract,
nor the Big help he got in the post this off-season.
I don’t hear Josh complaining that Al is trying top take his
4 spot either.
Players just Play!
drmaryb (*_*)
October 3rd, 2010
1:09 pm
Oh Yeah … Al and Josh are Bolts.
drmaryb (*_*)
October 3rd, 2010
1:10 pm
Oh Yeah … Al and Josh are Bolts.
Bolts lock onto Nuts!
vava74
October 3rd, 2010
1:16 pm
Major mistake by Jamal.
He is under contract and playing for a playoff bound team. He should shut up and play. No one likes malcontents.
He will not get a better contract under the new CBA, even on a doormat team with cap room, no one will pay him what he believe he is worth.
He should understand that Al is the Hawks priority and do his best to prove that he can aid a team to be successful.
Fundamentals
October 3rd, 2010
1:42 pm
Jamal won’t get an extension till Horford is signed. If he truly wants to be here long term he’ll #1 come out a team player and start playing DEFENSE! Once he proves he’s committed to that he’ll gain more value for himself as a Hawk and/or for another team. As it stands his skill set is great for a bench/role player on a contender, but not as a starter. If he truly wants to stay here he’ll need to talk pay cut as his $10 million is not worth what we’re going to get as we go forward. We need better team D and fewer ISO plays in LD’s system. Can Jamal fit. Definitely. Can he take less $$ to stay…that’s up to Jamal. Will he do it? We’ll see.
Play out your deal, play solid D, prove that part of your team game is sound and that you’re willing and we won’t be able to keep you when the offers come in.
Whatever happened to holding up your $10 million dollar side of the bargain before you ask for more. Shut up and play. Play well and you’ll get paid.
Grandad
October 3rd, 2010
1:43 pm
MsDee -&- everyone else:
With all due respect;
do yawl realize how difficult it is to acquire talent?
It’s Sund’s job to acquire talent. I would also think
that it’s also his job to keep it once he gets it.
-Now-
We don’t know what was said between Sund, Jamal, or his agent
when he came here. Therein lies the mystery.
Is Jamal a crybaby?
Is Sund a liar and a jerk?
Bottom line, If we lose Jamal & fail to get an adequate return
on his talent then it don’t matter who wins the testosterone
contest,[between he and Sund] the Hawks team loses!
Fundamentals
October 3rd, 2010
1:44 pm
Amen to players just play. Al seems to be handling this well. I hope his situation gets resolved where both sides are happy.
dap01
October 3rd, 2010
2:13 pm
Jamal is not dumb by opening his mouth but he is very selfish. Ten million dollars for a one dimensional player.
Selfish.
i_am_soulstar
October 3rd, 2010
2:17 pm
I feel ya Grandad,
Quality players don’t come easy. Jamal’s easiest the best thing to happen to the Hawks’ bench in the last decade.
I think Sund is playing poker, I just hope he doesn’t use the same approach as he did with Childress. It’s all about how you handle it Rick. Just like Childress, I’m sure the man just wants to be shown a little respect for his efforts.
i_am_soulstar
October 3rd, 2010
2:21 pm
easily*
Grandad
October 3rd, 2010
3:22 pm
i_am_soulstar
I’m glad you mentioned Childress.
@ this point we got nothing in return
just as we got no return for Tibor Pleiss.
Sund at this point is and has not maximized our roster.
Does Sund see his job as providing LD with the best possible
players in order to win. Or, does he only want to be a capologist.
MsDee
October 3rd, 2010
3:53 pm
@Grandad,
I love Jamal as well and feel he is a Great addition off the bench but he needs to just play ball!! The whole NBA world knows its a new CBA next season…good luck at getting what u are worth next season..oh and Jamal offense is replaceable! Now if he had great defense, well then diffierent subjust.