The Golden State Warriors had a blistering offseason re-signing seven of their own players and adding more in the process to bolster an already star-studded roster. Among them was shooting guard Jamal Crawford, who at one moment could have taken the spot of Nick Young, who was also in conversations to join the team, being wooed by Draymond Green and Kevin Durant.
Crawford admitted there was talks with Golden State early in the midst of his buyout situation with the Atlanta Hawks after being traded in a three-team deal that sent Danilo Gallinari to the L.A. Clippers.
“There was, actually in the very beginning, it never really got serious,” Crawford said about the Warriors reaching out to him earlier in the offseason. “I think it was more of a feeling out thing.”
Asked if there was any intrigue on his part to join a championship contender at this stage of his career, Crawford didn't hesitate.
“How can it not?” the three-time Sixth Man of the Year said. “They're the creme of the crop and they have been, not only with them winning a championship but the culture they built.”
“I played against them in the playoffs when they started to build this culture with the Clippers. It's been fun as a fan to watch their growth.”
Jamal Crawford said there was some early interest when he hit market about joining Warriors this summer, but it didn't formulate pic.twitter.com/sIiQjjFZDI
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) October 4, 2017
The Warriors were at some point the frontrunners for his services, before the Washington Wizards, the New York Knicks, and ultimately the Minnesota Timberwolves jumped in the race, snatching him away soon after he cleared waivers.
Needless to say, Crawford's addition would have been an unfair addition of firepower to an already high-octane Golden State offense.
