With LeBron James set to be a Laker next season, the Eastern Conference is up for grabs, and the Philadelphia 76ers plan on taking advantage.
While their starting lineup is loaded with young talent, adding some depth to their roster would undoubtedly improve their chances of becoming Eastern Conference champions.
Enter Jamal Crawford.
The 76ers are interested in signing Jamal Crawford. pic.twitter.com/AwHZYKxNU0
— Prime Time Sports Talk (@TalkPrimeTime) August 8, 2018
According to Crawford, he would be “honored” to be a member of the Sixers.
“I think for me, especially being out there as a free agent, something could work out,” said Crawford. I would be honored to play there, but things obviously have to take its course and I kind of got to sit back, but who wouldn’t want to play there? I like their city. I like how into it they are about basketball. I like their knowledge of basketball; how passionate they are. I’ve always loved coach Brett Brown. I’ve been on record. I’ve been a fan of his for years. He just needed talent, and now he has that. He added Ben Simmons, I love his game. I love Jojo. They’re both among my favorite players in the league to watch. Markelle [Fultz] is like a little brother to me. Obviously, he went to the University of Washington, and we talk every other day. J.J. Redick is like a brother to me, we’ve been through wars together, so there’s so many things to love about Philadelphia for sure.”
Crawford opted out of his contract with the Minnesota Timberwolves in early May, possibly wanting to finish whatever years he has left in the NBA with a legitimate shot at an NBA championship.
With Zhaire Smith sidelined for the foreseeable future with a foot injury, Crawford would fill the 76ers’ need of backup shooting guard quite nicely.
If anyone in the league has proven to be a productive player off the bench, its Jamal. He has won the Sixth Man of the Year Award three times, the most by any player in NBA history.
Jamal Crawford is truly the king of crossovers. Wesley Matthews didn't know what happened! pic.twitter.com/WZwGalJwKb
— . (@WBallCentral) July 13, 2017
However, he hasn’t earned that recognition since 2016, and his abilities on the basketball court have begun to diminish as he continues to age. Now 38-years-old, Crawford had a decent season with the Wolves last year. He averaged 10.3 points and 2.3 assists in his only season with the team.
As the Sixers prepare for war, adding a veteran like Crawford would likely do wonders for an organization that relies solely on their youth.
Featured Image Via Flickr/So Max O
