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Report: Portland’s Jamal Crawford “available”

Jamal Crawford

Free agent NBA guard Jamal Crawford appears at a news conference after signing with the Portland Trail Blazers in Portland, Ore., Friday, Dec. 16, 2011. (AP Photo/Don Ryan)

AP

When we told you the Portland Trail Blazers might be looking to make big changes, we weren’t kidding.

Raymond Felton is getting his tires kicked by the Lakers and likely other teams, as the point guard brought in has not fit as planned.

Same can be said of Jamal Crawford, who also can be had for the right price, reports Sam Amick of Sports Illustrated.

With the Blazers (18-18) underachieving and the 12-year veteran having struggled to fit in this season, sources say he’s available. Crawford signed a two-year, $10 million deal on Dec. 15, but the second season is a player option and he plans to opt out this summer to retest the free agent market.

Jamal Crawford is one of the best sixth men in the league — a gunner who can come in off the bench and light up the scoreboard. That is how he became sixth-man of the year in Atlanta. But he was always a bit of an odd fit for the Blazers and defensive-minded coach Nate McMillan, and he’s not Brandon Roy. He seemed to do well early in the season as the Trail Blazers ran a lot to start the year, but as their pace has slowed he has not fit in as well or consistently. Even though he got moved into the starting lineup, which was more about how bad Felton has been playing than Crawford being a great fit.

There are a few teams out there who could use a scorer at the two — we’re looking at you, Clippers — and as this would be a short-term rental it might be a good fit. The only question is how much Portland wants back in a deal, teams are not going to give up a lot for a rental. There’s a good chance he stays in Portland the rest of this season and becomes a free agent next summer, but it is something to watch as the deadline approaches.