The Atlanta Hawks, who are on the verge of a three-team trade along with the L.A. Clippers and the Denver Nuggets — are unlikely to facilitate a buyout for shooting guard Jamal Crawford, part of the package they can get back from the Clippers, according to USA TODAY Sports' Sam Amick. The Hawks reportedly would want Crawford to give the bulk of the $17.2 million remaining on his deal back in order to do a buyout, making his chances of joining a contender a little steeper.
There's been several teams that have mutual interest in the former three-time Sixth Man of the Year, including the Golden State Warriors, New York Knicks, and the Boston Celtics.
Crawford has expressed his willingness to play in Madison Square Garden again before retiring and Celtics dynamo Isaiah Thomas has expressed interest in his fellow Washington area counterpart joining his team in the past.
The Warriors on the other hand, have Crawford within arms' reach, as the two were linked last summer prior to him returning to the Clippers — sitting as the top option to take their $5.2 million exception and back up shooting guard Klay Thompson.
If Crawford leaves a lot of his money with Atlanta, he's likely to want to seek it with his next team — something that can prove to be easier said than done when it comes to negotiations.
Contenders like the Cleveland Cavaliers, the San Antonio Spurs are inquiring about Crawford, with the Hawks preferring a trade than a buyout scenario, according to ESPN's Chris Haynes.
The 37-year-old averaged 12.3 points, 2.6 assists, and 1.6 rebounds in his most recent of five seasons with the Clippers, playing in all 82 games.
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