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Trade Talk, Rumors Don’t Worry Crawford

Rowan Kavner

LOS ANGELES – Jamal Crawford hears the chatter.

While some athletes say they tune out trade rumors or speculation, particularly when it involves themselves, Crawford hears it but doesn’t stress about it.

“I’m done worrying,” said Crawford, who’s on his sixth different team in 14-plus NBA seasons. “I’ve proven myself, honestly, over the course of time…Me personally, I’m fine. I can play basketball anywhere, so I’m not worried about it.”

If the Clippers make a trade or bring in a free agent such as Ray Allen, Crawford said he’d understand and he’d welcome the addition. That could mean fewer minutes for him. It could even mean he gets dealt. But he’s not sweating it.

Image of the Clippers voting hub for the NBA All-Star Team

“I’ve been in trade rumors ever since I’ve been here, which is the weirdest thing,” Crawford said. “But that’s part of the business, honestly. I can play wherever. I can play here, I would love to play here. But if not, if something happens, you move on and do what you’ve got to do.”

The trade deadline isn’t until Feb. 19, but mid-December is typically when trade talks and deals start heating up. That was evident late Thursday night, when news broke that Rajon Rondo would be heading to the Mavericks.
The deal for the former Celtic adds another former All-Star to the Western Conference, but Clippers head coach Doc Rivers is only concerned about one team.

“I can’t worry about it,” Rivers said. “You know me. I’m worried about the Los Angeles Clippers, and that’s it. When you add a guy like Rondo to a team, it’s going to make the team better.”

As for whether Crawford could be dealt, Rivers said he doesn’t read into rumors or speculation. Rivers called most rumors just “bogus chatter.”

“The fact that Jamal’s name is being mentioned, this is the first I’ve heard, literally right now,” Rivers said when asked about the possibility earlier this week. “I don’t get into it. I let all you guys. You’re going to ask about every rumor that’s out there.”

Crawford, who follows the NBA closely, made clear that he “hears it all” when it comes to the rumors. He was equally clear that it doesn’t affect him on or off the court.

“Once I’m out there, I’m free,” Crawford said.

If it’s up to him, though, he’s happy where he is and would prefer to stay with the Clippers.

“I love it here,” Crawford said. “I signed to come here. My family’s very comfortable here. It’s weird because most people, you think L.A., they think bright lights. I’m not here for commercials or going out. I enjoy my teammates, I enjoy the coaching staff, I enjoy the fans and the organization, but I do understand it’s a business. If something were to happen, no hard feelings and you move on.”

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