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Los Angeles Lakers: Signing Jamal Crawford would be a bad move

By Asha Doucet

DENVER, CO - NOVEMBER 24: Jamal Crawford #11 of the Los Angeles Clippers controls the ball against the Denver Nuggets at Pepsi Center on November 24, 2015 in Denver, Colorado. The Clippers defeated the Nuggets 111-94. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - NOVEMBER 24: Jamal Crawford #11 of the Los Angeles Clippers controls the ball against the Denver Nuggets at Pepsi Center on November 24, 2015 in Denver, Colorado. The Clippers defeated the Nuggets 111-94. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images) /
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Jamal Crawford is interested in the Los Angeles Lakers if he receives a buyout from the Atlanta Hawks but his game does not compliment the Lakers’ style or their long-term future.  

Reports have surfaced that veteran guard Jamal Crawford is interested in staying in L.A. to play for the Los Angeles Lakers if bought out by the Hawks. The Undefeated’s Marc J. Spears broke the news on Twitter.

Spears continued to give insight on the possibility of Crawford wanting to join the Lakers.

"With his family based in Los Angeles and a solid relationship already in place with Ball, the current Los Angeles Clippers guard would like to sign as a free agent with the Lakers if he were bought out of his contract by the Atlanta Hawks after an expected multi-team trade that is expected to send Danilo Gallinari to the Clippers."

Crawford may already have a relationship with Lonzo Ball, which should equal chemistry between the two, but he’s a 37-year-old isolation player that lacks a defensive prowess. Crawford can help guide Lonzo with his experience and veteran leadership but his style of play isn’t conducive to Luke Walton’s system.

Walton’s offense comes from his time with the Golden State Warriors that emphasizes moving the ball and moving without the ball. Crawford, a three-time sixth man of the year, is a reserve that pounds the ball and tends to go one-on-one. For him to fit into Walton’s offense he’ll have to change his approach to the game, which is easier said than done. Otherwise, the Lakers will be moving away from their intended style of play.

A young team needs consistency, not exceptions,  and Crawford would be an exception. After trading Lou Williams to the Houston Rockets last year, it was clear what direction L.A. wanted to move in. Picking up Crawford would seemingly contradict that move.

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Although Crawford is still a prolific scorer at his age and a solid sixth man, the Lakers would be best served to sign a guard that will work seamlessly in Walton’s offense and is a good defender.  

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