A string of rumors Monday intensified the speculation around Portland Trailblazers guard Jamal Crawford, who has long thought to be a candidate for a move ahead of Thursday’s deadline.
Talk prior to this weekend suggested Crawford would be moved for Minnesota’s Luke Ridnour, a straight-ahead deal that would give Portland some strength at point and Minnesota an option at the 2. That deal, however, seems highly unlikely in the wake of Ricky Rubio’s season-ending ACL injury; the feeling is that Minnesota will likely hang onto the suddenly more-pivotal Ridnour, barring the emergence of a too-good-too-ignore deal.
New rumors, however, are linking Crawford to the Bobcats and Clippers. The potential Bobcats deal, talked about on NBA.com, would see Crawford exchanged for DJ Augustin, who is becoming increasingly expendable as Kemba Walker develops.
The other possible deal, this one reported by CBS’ Ken Berger, involves Crawford headed to the Clippers for Eric Bledsoe and Ryan Gomes.
Regardless of what happens, all indications are that Portland remains unsold on Raymond Felton and will try to deal Crawford for more strength at the point.