The Los Angeles Clippers might be the team that has had the most productive offseason in the NBA. The Clippers were able to re-sign DeAndre Jordan, and bolster their bench by getting Paul Pierce, Josh Smith and Lance Stephenson among other players. One problem they might have going into next season is the happiness of backup shooting guard Jamal Crawford. Crawford has repeatedly been on the trading block all offseason and he is reportedly not very happy with Doc Rivers and the Clippers organization according to Dan Woike of the Orange County Register.
Crawford has been involved in many rumors this offseason, one of which was a potential trade to the Cleveland Cavaliers, but none of these talks have led to him going anywhere. Crawford has repeatedly been asked on his twitter account if he is still a member of the Clippers and one time he reportedly responded saying "I'm not a (free agent), wish, but I'm not ... So, (you) gotta ask Doc."
Crawford seems to be in a position where he feels he is not needed and it is very possible that he can come into training camp and demand a trade. Not only would it hurt the Clippers as a team on the court but it would hurt the dynamic of the team off the court. Championship teams typically have great chemistry and are all on the same page, sometimes all it takes is one rotten apple to spoil the whole bunch and that might be Crawford in this case.
Right now Crawford seems upset with his situation but that doesn't mean him demanding a trade is a guarantee. It is very possible that he can have a sit down with Rivers and the Clippers head coach could reel Crawford back in and get him to buy into what the Clippers are trying to accomplish this season again. Crawford is heading into the final year of his contract with the Clippers so it is possible that he won't want to make a big stink that could possibly hurt his value on the market, but he doesn't like the way he has been treated this offseason so anything is possible.
Crawford has been a huge part of the Clippers for the past three season having averaged 17 points per game, mostly off the bench, and being basically the only real threat off the bench for the Clippers especially last year. It is hard to blame Crawford for not being happy about the uncertainty of his future in Los Angeles but he is due about $5.7 million this upcoming season and trading him at this point seems unlikely. The Clippers might have a lot of work to do to get Crawford to buy in and if they are unsuccessful in doing so, his reluctance to buy in could really hurt the Clippers chances of getting that NBA Championship.
