NBA Trade Rumors:New York Knicks Join The Miami Heat And Cleveland Cavaliers As Teams Interested In Obtaining Jamal Crawford

Los Angeles Clippers Jamal Crawford is continuing to draw a lot of trade interest.

The New York Daily News is reporting that the New York Knicks have entered into the fray to try to pry the two-time NBA Sixth Man of the Year away from the Clippers. The Cleveland Cavaliers and Miami Heat have been rumored to have been interested in Crawford for a while.

Crawford has played for the Knicks before, appearing in 299 games for the team (starting in 2004) earlier in his career. He is reportedly a favorite of the Knicks brass.

FYI: Jamal Crawford is a favorite of James Dolan as well as Steve Mills, Allan Houston but most of all – drum roll please – Isiah Thomas.

— Frank Isola (@TheFrankIsola) August 18, 2015

Crawford was traded by New York 11 games into the 2008-09 season as then-president Donnie Walsh started clearing cap space.

Last season, Crawford averaged 15.8 points along with 2.5 assists a game while shooting just 39.6 percent and 32.7 percent from beyond the arc for the Clippers. The reigning Sixth Man of the Year has played for six teams in his 15 year-career and possesses career averages of 15.8 points and 3.7 assists. Crawford also has made 1,815 career triples and has connected on 35 percent of his attempts from long-distance.

Crawford is scheduled to be an unrestricted free agent next season. He will make $5.7 million this season.

So, is Crawford a good fit in New York?

Although the Knicks did a pretty good job rebuilding their roster this offseason, Crawford would bring things to the table that the team desperately need. Crawford would provide the Knicks with much needed scoring off the bench and someone, other than Carmelo Anthony, who has the ability to create his own shot as the shot clock is winding down according to CBS Sports.

The more important question is does the Knicks have enough assets to offer the Clippers to secure a deal?

The short answer is no. While it is unknown what the Clippers would want in return for Crawford, it seems pretty clear that they aren’t interested in giving him away.

The Knicks had a valuable trade exception, which they obtained from the Cavs in the deal for J.R. Smith, that they had to renounce this summer in order to get under the salary to be able to pursue Arron Afflalo and Robin Lopez. Without the trade exception, New York would have to send salary back to the Clips which former Brooklyn Nets assistant general manager doesn’t believe Los Angeles would want.

Only movable contract for NYK is Calderon, Don't think LAC would want that extra year.

— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) August 18, 2015

Just a tidbit to a Crawford/Calderon type deal, Doesn't work, LAC only has 125% to take back players , LAC-Tax team has restrictions

— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) August 18, 2015

To make the deal more difficult for the Knicks, they would likely lose to the Cavs and Heat in a bidding war. Cleveland has three trade exceptions, including the one they obtained from the Brendan Haywood trade, to offer the Clips plus draft picks or perhaps second year pro Joe Harris — if need be.

Sports World Report has speculated that Cleveland will only trade for Crawford, if they do not re-sign Smith.

According to Rant Sports, the Heat could offer Chris Anderson ($5 million) or Josh McRoberts ($5.4 milion) in a deal for Crawford.

[Photo by Chris Covatta/Getty Images]