Jamal Crawford's expected move to the Minnesota Timberwolves this summer is looking like the anti-thesis to what Kevin Durant did last year.

In an interview with Jerry Zgoda of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, the 37-year-old shooting guard said that winning his first-ever title wasn't the primary reason he chose to sign with the Timberwolves despite getting interest from an established title contender like the Cleveland Cavaliers or Golden State Warriors. Instead, Crawford finds it more appealing to help a team with no championship pedigree develop into a real contender.

“They showed they were serious, trying to get things done right away,” Crawford said. “I felt like the time is right. I felt like I could fit. At this point of my career, I could easily chase a championship. I’m not saying we won’t compete, but it’s not about that. I want to take the journey and go through the wars with these guys. The Cavs, they’ve been there. Those guys know what it’s like to be in the Finals and win a championship. The Warriors, same deal. If I went there and let’s say we happen to win, what’s next? Sometimes it’s more gratifying to help teams go from one point to another point.

That Crawford is still ringless after 17 years in the league and yet intentionally dropping the chance at joining the Cavaliers for an upstart team speaks volumes about Crawford's character. Having said that, it could also be that the Timberwolves simply put a better offer on the table. As reported earlier, Crawford had shown interest in coming to Cleveland until he learned that the Cavs were not going to give him the team's entire $5.2 million mid-level exception.

Crawford was traded by the L.A. Clippers to the Atlanta Hawks in a huge three-team deal this offseason but was immediately bought out by the Hawks, effectively making Crawford a free agent.