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Los Angeles Clippers: 3 Trade Scenarios For Jamal Crawford

By Cameron Stewart

May 6, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard Jamal Crawford (11) shoots the ball during the third quarter as Houston Rockets forward Trevor Ariza (1) defends in game two of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
May 6, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard Jamal Crawford (11) shoots the ball during the third quarter as Houston Rockets forward Trevor Ariza (1) defends in game two of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /
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Clippers receive: Terrence Ross, Norman Powell
Raptors receive: Jamal Crawford

A need for a need. The Raptors have shown that they’ve given up on Ross, who they drafted with the eighth overall pick in 2012. Ross saw his minutes fluctuate and was benched in favor of James Johnson at times last season. The signing of DeMarre Carroll to a monster deal in the offseason said everything we need to know about how the Raptors feel about Ross. With DeMar DeRozan and DeMarre Carroll making big money to play big minutes, there is little opportunity for Ross to play. James Johnson is still there and it’s unknown who the Raptors favor between Ross and Johnson.

Although Ross can be a scorer, evidenced by his 51 point outing in January of 2014 against…the Los Angeles Clippers.

The Raptors lost Lou Williams in free agency and didn’t find a solid replacement for last year’s Sixth Man of the Year. Jamal Crawford would slide effortlessly into the void left by Williams’ departure and possibly even be an upgrade.

For the Clippers, they get a 24-year old former lottery pick who has shown a few flashes as to why he was drafted so highly. Maybe Ross just needs a change of scenery to fulfill his potential. Ross can come off the bench or even start at small forward if the team chooses to bring Paul Pierce off the bench, a possibility covered by the OC Register. Ross would serve as an upgrade over Wesley Johnson and has more potential as a 3-and-D guy, a type of player that has become vital to championship contenders that the Clippers are missing on their roster. Ross has been inconsistent with his defense, but he’s a good shooter with great athleticism and quick hands, a recipe that common sense would tell you is the formula for a 3-and-D wing.

Ross is in the last year of his rookie deal, and the Raptors likely won’t be too motivated to keep him when he becomes a restricted free agent. Crawford will be 36 by then and an unrestricted free agent. The Clippers would be able to retain Ross if they wanted to and add some youth to one of the oldest rosters in the league.

The Clippers would also receive Norman Powell in this hypothetical trade, a throw-in who could compete for a roster spot. Powell is a rookie who was selected 45th overall out of UCLA. At 6’4, 215 lbs with a 6’11 wingspan, Powell has excellent measurements as an NBA point guard. His shooting stroke has been questioned but could make his mark on the defensive end. Give Powell a couple trips to the D-League and see how he develops.

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