Jamal Crawford

[Balkman32]

What do you guys think of a Crawford for Cook swap? I heard a rumor today Portland was willing to trade him. He has a player option for 5 million next season. He is a guy who can shoot it and could start @ the 2.

[BIG EDDIE]

You are clearly overvaluing Cook.
He has much less trading value than Crawford.

[Balkman32]

I know i overvalued him in this scenario. But, we added a pick or a guy we have over sea's would it be worth to bring in a Crawford? Is he the missing piece for the season since we do not have Maynor.

[sonictecture]

I don't think Sefolosha or Cook's scoring numbers are so low because they're incapable of scoring, I think they are a result of the high usage of Durant and Westbrook. There are only so many possessions and shots available.

If you think the team needs another scorer, you start Harden, make Durant and Westbrook adjust and bring Crawford off the bench. Portland would probably want Aldrich and maybe a draft pick.

[Balkman32]

The only thing with starting Harden is it limits his touches. He runs the second unit & he work well with Collison. So I would not start Harden, unless Cook and Thabo were un-able to go.

I do not see the Thunder trading Aldrich or Jackson for a rent-a-player like Crawford.

[sonictecture]

I don't either, but more because Crawford isn't a need. Acquiring Crawford and starting him would be a slap in the face to Harden, when you consider Crawford's historic usage and efficiency.

If you want better ball movement, but still want a scorer off the bench, starting Harden and "forcing" Durant and Westbrook to adjust is the way to go. Two years ago we all thought the starting line up needed Harden, now we feel it would stifle him.

Do you ask Durant and Westbrook to make an adjustment or stay the course?

[Balkman32]

I think Harden enjoys the 6th man role more. Plus, we need either him or Durant on the floor @ all times. It is not a Slap in the Face to Harden. Harden is the 6th man of the year this season. If we start Harden there will be times when the only three guys who can score @ will, will be on the bench at the same time. The Thunder do not have the scorers on the team to have that happen.

[Balkman32]

Harden is in the bench role for the team. I don't think it would hurt him to be a starter, but he runs the second unit. His play with Collison really gets the second unit going. We need him on the floor when Durant is not out there.

[sonictecture]

Not now, but if you acquired Crawford you would. This thread is about the idea of acquiring Crawford, right? You can always set up your rotations so that two of Durant, Westbrook, Harden and Crawford would be on the floor.

I think Harden has all-star and NBA second/third team potential, but the Thunder have to convince him that he can achieve those things either as the teams sixth man or as a starter. Since fans vote for all-stars there is a natural perception hit that Harden takes coming off the bench.

There are two things in consideration with the question of Jamal Crawford. The first is the now, this season and the second is the long term. For me Crawford isn't the right fit, I am in favor of developing Jackson as a scorer off the bench, moving Harden to the starting line up long term and living with the team as constructed for this season.

[Balkman32]

Harden will be a starter next season. There is no doubt about that. But, as of right now the Thunder need him on the floor with the second unit. I think if they acquired Crawford it would be more seamless to start him rather than start Harden.

Getting Jamal Crawford is totally just for this season. He has a player option that he is likely to opt out on. If Maynor didn't go down, I would probably not even want to make a move. But, Reggie is just not ready to play the role of a backup PG on a championship team. And if Russ got injured we would be in BAD shape.

The Thunder need to bring in someone who can run the point and can shoot the ball. Crawford fits the need.

[sonictecture]

We all thought Harden would start this season after his play upon the Perkins trade and last years playoff run, but he hasn't. I see no urgency from the organization to make Harden a starter.

If you add Crawford who has come off the bench as a 6th man the majority of his career, and considering he doesn't know the offense or defense, I think bringing him off the bench is the more seamless handling. Not to mention that if you want to sign Harden long term you do everything you can to show him the respect he's earned. Crawford should be the vehicle to get help Harden to the starting line up, not to take his place.

If you want a back up point guard, then why choose Crawford who you then want to put into the starting lineup? Better to go after Beno Udrih or someone similar if you doubt the abilities of Jackson.

Personally, I'm ok with Jackson.

[Balkman32]

I think it would have been difficult to start Harden this year since we did not have a legit scorer off the bench, plus we did not have an off season.

I think playing Harden in the 6th man role and giving him a serious chance to win 6th man of the year award shows him how important he is to the team. I do not think the Thunder will hold it against him in contract negotiations that he did not start for the team in his first three seasons.

I do think a backup up point it important. But, there are no real answers out there in the PG market that work salary-wise right now.

Udrich makes too much money next year to make a trade for him. Especially since we would have to trade Cook to get him. Some 6th men are more important than some of the starters. While in Harden's case, he is the third most important player on this team.

Carwford fits the need right now. The Raptors also have some PG, that would be nice to acquire.