The Los Angeles Clippers are ready to win an NBA championship. They have the best point guard in the NBA in Chris Paul and an exciting big man in Blake Griffin, plus solid contributors in Caron Butler, DeAndre Jordan, Kenyon Martin, Reggie Evans, and Mo Williams. They do have one big issue, which is their lack of effective swingman that can score and defend.
Luckily, the right man might be coming available for the Clippers soon enough: Jamal Crawford of the Portland Trailblazers. Ken Berger of CBS Sports reports.
The Trail Blazers have been among the most active teams, seeking to move Jamal Crawford and acquire a big man -- either in the same or separate deals. The asking price for Crawford, however, includes a first-round pick in addition to Luke Ridnour (Timberwolves) or Eric Bledsoe (Clippers). Depending on what point guard the Blazers can bring back in a deal, they'd also be in a position to put Raymond Felton out of his misery. Felton's up-tempo style and Nate McMillan's deliberate offense clearly are not fitting together. "They've got to make major changes," one executive said.
Crawford would provide an excellent swing player at the position, and the potential of getting Felton to replace Bledsoe might lessen the blow of losing such a talented young player. This might be a deal that Los Angeles needs to make to truly contend for a championship this season.
To discuss a Crawford-Bledsoe deal with Blazers fans, hit up Blazers Edge. To talk about Crawford and Bledsoe with Clippers fans, check out Clips Nation.