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After Clippers Recent Trade, Is Jamal Crawford Expendable?

By Pablo Jacobo

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The Los Angeles Clippers kicked off their revamp by trading for volatile two-way player Lance Stephenson. Two years removed from his breakout season, Stephenson will bring much needed toughness on the perimeter for the Clippers. Also the 24-year-old brings tremendous ball-handling skills that will assist Chris Paul on offense.

Coach Doc Rivers was on the Beast 980 Tuesday afternoon and told Fred Roggin that he envisioned Stephenson as a utility player rather than a starter. Building on that premise, Lance is a natural two-guard who is versatile enough to run the point and play the three. With Matt Barnes gone, there is still a void at small forward.

Barring an unforeseen move, J.J. Redick is the starting shooting guard who provides floor spacing on the court. Austin Rivers is slated to hit free agency but I’m sure the Clippers will bring him back. Rivers was close to being labeled a bust until he showed promise during the playoffs averaging 8 points and providing a nice spark off the bench.

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Sixth-man Jamal Crawford could be the next player to be shipped out to free up some space for alternative options. Crawford is a volume scorer who was disappointing in the playoffs. He could play the point but he’s not an adequate back up to CP3. Injuries have hampered Crawford in the past and it may be time for him to go elsewhere. Crawford will be in the last year of his contract in the 2015-16 season with only $1.5M guaranteed, an enticing trade asset. Stephenson or Rivers could fill the void if Crawford is ultimately dealt.

Doc mentioned on the radio program that he still needs three or four more players to provide more depth. LA’s bench needs to be retooled because their bench was atrocious during the season. Cheaper options will need to be brought in because the cash-strapped Clippers won’t have much cash to throw at free agents.

Clippers will need to get creative with their finances especially if they re-sign DeAndre Jordan to a max deal. Los Angeles has already started recruiting players for next season by getting a commitment from Royce White to join their summer league team. The former prospect left the NBA due to an anxiety disorder. He is the type of low-risk high-reward signing Doc Rivers is looking for.

Look for LA to bring back Jordan Hamilton to the team. He was called up from the Sacramento Kings’ D-League affiliate Reno Bighorns when the Clippers had a rough stretch of injuries. Hamilton can ball if given the chance. He averaged 18 points, 7 rebounds and nearly 4 assists for Reno. These are the type of signings the Clippers will seek to fill out the roster.

Back to Crawford, what can he fetch for the Clippers? A late first round draft pick or a second rounder perhaps? Keep in mind the Clips don’t have a pick this upcoming draft. There are reports that Los Angeles is looking to acquire a pick.

The Clippers need to add youth to their team. At times they looked sluggish and slow. Hedo Turkoglu (36), Barnes (35) and Crawford (35) are not the same spry players they once were. Adding some young legs via free agency or through the draft will be a major upgrade to the trio I just mentioned. I hear the rumors of Paul Pierce possibly wanting to retire in his hometown of Los Angeles but there is no comparison between “The Truth” and that trio. The pride of Inglewood is an upgrade.

Truthfully speaking the Stephenson trade makes Crawford expendable. He shot 39-percent from the field and is a defensive liability on the court. The addition of Stephenson strengthens the defense on the perimeter. Redick is an underrated defender and with DJ in the back, defense is going to be a priority for the defensive-minded Rivers.

It would be sad to see Crawford go because he’s given Clipper Nation so many memorable performances and countless four-point plays that ignited the crowd. He’s still an effective scorer and by no means is he useless. He still has some of sickest handles in the NBA. He can still create his own shot and could go-off at any moment.

Still, with Paul, Stephenson, Redick and Rivers on the team it seems the backcourt is a bit crowded. Plus If White and Hamilton remain on the roster and if the Pierce rumors come to fruition then where does that leave Crawford? Of course, LA can let Rivers walk and keep the 6-foot-5 scorer on the roster, but I don’t see that happening.

Next: Lance Stephenson Is The Right Move For The Clippers

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