Arash Markazi, ESPN Senior Writer 9y

Crawford not bothered by trade rumors

LOS ANGELES – Jamal Crawford has heard his name come up in enough trade rumors over the years that he’s almost numb to it at this point.

It’s not as if the Los Angeles Clippers guard can simply tune it out as other players claim they can. Few players in the league are more active on social media and watch more games on television than Crawford, so when his name ends up in the rumor mill, he knows about it as quickly as anyone else.

A recent report had the Clippers in trade talks with several teams for Crawford on the heels of coach Doc Rivers saying he was interested in signing free-agent shooting guard Ray Allen.

“I’m done worrying,” Crawford said. “I’ve proven myself honestly over the course of time. I think Ray Allen is a welcome addition to any team, honestly. If we can get him and he’s out there, it would be a great addition for us. But me personally, I’m fine. I can play basketball anywhere.”

Rivers said he doesn’t spend much time refuting every false trade rumor or else he’d never get around to actually coaching the team. He has no intention of trading Crawford, but of course that could change before the Feb. 19 trade deadline.

“I honestly don’t read anything,” Rivers said. “The fact that Jamal’s name is being mentioned, this is the first I’ve heard of it, literally right now. I don’t get into it. You guys are going to ask him about every rumor that’s out there. It’s just so much bogus chatter.”

Rivers, however, didn’t mind once again publicly claiming interest in signing Allen, who is still trying to decide if he wants to play a 19th season and has been contacted by numerous teams, including the Cleveland Cavaliers, widely considered the front-runners to sign him if he returns.

“I just think he’s a good player,” Rivers said of Allen. “Why not add a good player to your team? He’s still good. We’ll see. I still have interest in him. He’s a good player. I think. I know he’s great at golf right now. He’s probably a scratch golfer by now; he’s had all this time. I’m assuming he’s still a good player.”

Allen played for Rivers for five seasons when both were with the Boston Celtics, and they won the 2008 NBA championship together. The Clippers have been looking to add a wing player since the offseason and have been unsuccessful. Their best chance to acquire a quality wing before the trade deadline would likely require them to part with Crawford, who won the Sixth Man of the Year Award last season and is averaging 15.8 points off the bench this season. If that were to happen, Allen presumably would be signed to fill Crawford’s role off the bench.

The wing position has been the Clippers' biggest weakness since Rivers came to Los Angeles, and it's far from championship quality this season. During the Clippers' 102-100 win over the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday, Matt Barnes had just three points, two rebounds and four assists, while Chris Douglas-Roberts' contribution off the bench in 10 minutes was one foul.

“I’ve been in trade rumors ever since I’ve been here,” Crawford said. “It’s the weirdest thing, but it’s part of the business, honestly. I can play here. I would love to play here, but if not, if something happens, then you move on and do what you got to do … I hear it all. I’m very honest. I’m very transparent. I hear it all, for sure.”

Crawford has two years and $11 million left on his contract, including this season; the 2015-16 season is a team option. He is also eligible for an extension next summer and believes he is deserving of one in Los Angeles or somewhere else, although he would rather stay in L.A.

“I love it here,” Crawford said. “I signed to come here. My family is very comfortable here. It’s weird because most people hear L.A. and they think bright lights, but I’m not here for commercials or going out. I enjoy my teammates, I enjoy the coaching staff, I enjoy the fans and the organization. But I do understand it’s a business; if something were to happen, no hard feelings, you move on.”

The Clippers will likely make a move or two at some point this season, if last season is any indication. Will those moves include Crawford and Allen? Two months before the trade deadline, Rivers doesn’t yet know the answer to that question.

“I think it’s the same every year,” Rivers said. “I just think there’s probably more talk about it every year because there’s more media. I think it’s pretty much the same, and it will be the same amount of trades. Whatever amount the average is, it will average out to that.”

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