Jamal Crawford would be a downgrade to Philadelphia 76ers’ bench

By Christopher Kline | Aug 13, 2018

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - MARCH 18: Jamal Crawford #11 of the Minnesota Timberwolves defends against the Houston Rockets during the game on March 18, 2018 at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. 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 Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

The Philadelphia 76ers wouldn’t benefit from adding J-Crossover to the rotation.

Despite having a full roster, the Philadelphia 76ers might be looking to make one more move this summer. Jamal Crawford has made his interest in playing for Brett Brown and the Sixers clear, it’s just a matter of whether or not the Sixers are willing to open up the roster space.

If the Sixers are interested in Crawford, that would spell the end of Jerryd Bayless‘ Sixers career. With $8.6 million left on his contract, the Sixers can buy out Bayless, opening up the 15th roster spot. Crawford would likely sign for the veteran minimum, though Philadelphia does have the $4.4 million room exception available.

And that’s fine — in a vacuum. Crawford is a veteran lauded for his leadership skills and locker room presence. He’s also better than Bayless, who no longer has a spot in the Sixers’ rotation. On the whole, though, Crawford isn’t worth the investment for Philly.

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Many pundits think the Sixers’ bench took a hit this summer. Marco Belinelli and Ersan Ilyasova walked in free agency and the Sixers didn’t make any marquee signings to replace them.

What the Sixers did do, however, is hit the trade market. They traded for Wilson Chandler, a valuable 3-and-D presence who will spend time at both small and power forward. They also traded for Zhaire Smith on draft night, adding the best perimeter defender in the 2018 class.

Belinelli was a chronically flawed player. His shooting and off-ball movement was invaluable in Brett Brown’s offense, but he was equally as damaging on defense. While the Sixers might have lost offensive value, they improved drastically by adding more capable bodies on defense.

Taking minutes away from those defensive bodies — Chandler, Smith, Markelle Fultz, T.J. McConnell, etc. — and giving them to Crawford would negate those benefits. Crawford is just as bad as Belinelli on defense, and he’s nowhere near as valuable on offense.

Last season with Minnesota, the opposing team’s offensive rating went up 8.2 points whenever Crawford was on the floor. He’s a genuinely putrid defender, something that won’t improve as he approaches age 39.

He also lacks the switch-friendly nature of Smith, Chandler and Fultz, whose length allows them to patrol multiple different positions. Crawford defends twos, maybe ones, and doesn’t do a good job either way.

On the offensive end, Crawford is a volume scorer with lackluster efficiency. He shot just 41.5 percent from the field and 33.1 percent from deep last season, as opposed to 44.1 and 37.7 for Belinelli, who is often regarded as a shot-chucker.

Crawford doesn’t bring the same value that Belinelli did as a shooter and floor spacer. His ball-handling is a positive in theory, but that value is offset by poor shot selection and an unwillingness to move the ball.

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If Crawford is willing to join the team in purely a mentorship role — meaning he doesn’t spend a lot of time on the court — that’s fine. I’m operating under the assumption that Crawford becomes an important part of the bench upon signing, though. That seems more likely.