Jamal Crawford discusses trade rumors: 'It is (frustrating), but what can you do?'
Jamal Crawford is preparing for what could be a wild 24 hours now that the NBA's reigning Sixth Man of the Year's name is in a rumored trade report.
The NBA's trade deadline is noon on Thursday.
"At the end of the day, I can't worry about stuff I can't control," Crawford said. "I just have to do my job and be as professional as possible, whether something changes or nothing changes."
Yahoo Sports, citing league sources, reported the Clippers "have probed the market with Jamal Crawford to see if there's a way to acquire a first-round pick that could help them make a competitive offer to Denver for Wilson Chandler or Arron Afflalo."
Asked if he was given any indication of whether he might be traded, Crawford shrugged his shoulders and said: "You're going to have to ask them."
Crawford has done everything right this season, being the one constant off the bench for the Clippers. He's averaging 16 points, 2.6 assists and 2 rebounds per game.
Doc Rivers, speaking in general, said he didn't think a move would happen but acknowledged the possibility.
"I like our team," Rivers said. "If something presents itself where we feel it makes us better we have to look at that. I don't see that happening, but it could. The last 24 hours I'm sure we'll get more active from other teams.
"If someone presents us with something or we like something we'll pursue it. Other than that, it's a typical day before trade deadline when everyone has questions and very little happens."
Asked if it was emotional for him to hear his name in trade talks, Crawford said: "I'm human. I'm human. That's the best way for me to answer. I'm human."
After the Clippers parted ways with Jordan Farmar, Jared Cunningham and Reggie Bullock during the season, they signed Dahntay Jones and traded for Austin Rivers to upgrade a bench that needed it ... and the bench has improved.
A move like this with Crawford -- who is well-liked by his teammates and has carried the bench -- could change team chemistry as well.
Asked if he's happy in Los Angeles, Crawford said, in a monotone answer, "I'm happy here."
This is the second time Crawford has dealt with trade rumors this season.
"It is (frustrating), but what can you do?" Crawford said. "Honestly, what can you really do beside play and do your best?"
Crawford, who is very active on social media, had a couple of interesting tweets late Tuesday night, one of which said: "Learned early in life, one person's trash is another person's treasure.......
Crawford wouldn't say whether his tweets were related to the trade rumors.
"The good thing about Twitter is you can say (anything)," Crawford said. "Yeah, I'm the king of subliminal. Some are basketball-related. Some are not. You guys have to figure it out."
He smiled a lot in an interview with reporters Wednesday.
Asked whether he talks to players about trade rumors, Rivers said: "Sometimes I do. Sometimes I don't. Some guys are very sensitive, some guys are not. The guys who are sensitive, even when you tell them they're not involved or involved, they're still going to be sensitive. For a lot of people, what they read they believe. And I don't get that ...
"It's the truth. When you see it in print, you're worried. It's typical."
Crawford has twice been named the NBA's Sixth Man of the Year in his career, and he is a candidate to win the award this year as well.
If he's not traded, Crawford didn't sound like he would harbor any ill will.
"I'm a professional. I've always prided myself on that," Crawford said. "I've said a long time ago I can play basketball anywhere. I can play at LA Fitness. I can play at Staples Center. Playing the guard, wherever it may be. Obviously, I came here for a reason. I signed to come here. I want to be here. If things change, or things change in the future, you have no choice but to be professional and move on and keep going."
The Clippers play their first game after the All-Star break against San Antonio on Thursday at Staples Center, and the trade deadline ends seven hours before the game.
