Report: Jamal Crawford is “Cleveland’s to Lose”

According to Joe Vardon of Cleveland.com, free-agent shooting guard Jamal Crawford is “Cleveland’s to lose.”

Here’s an excerpt from Vardon’s report.

Jamal Crawford would definitely play for the Cavaliers if they offer him the full $5.2 million they can pay to any free agent, sources told cleveland.com.

Sources confirmed to cleveland.com that the Cavs were indeed interested in the 17-year vet. A source close to Crawford called him “Cleveland’s to lose.”

The Wizards, Timberwolves, and Lakers are also said to be interested in him. Crawford reached out and spoke recently with LeBron James, which a source said stoked Crawford’s interest in playing for the three-time defending Eastern Conference champions.

But giving Crawford the full mid-level exception would complicate — and possibly prevent — the Cavs from bringing over Cedi Osman from Turkey. The team would need to use a portion of its exception to pay Osman, sources said.

If the Cavs sign Crawford for the MLE, it would also mean that any chance of acquiring Carmelo Anthony would most likely have to involve a trade, rather than waiting for a buyout and signing him for $5.2 Mil.