Clippers Free Agency 2016: Jamal Crawford Returns to Clippers on 3-year, $42 Million Deal

According to Sam Amick of USAToday, Jamal Crawford will re-sign with the Clippers:

Jamal Crawford is staying with the Clippers, I'm told. Three years, $42 million.

— Sam Amick (@sam_amick) July 3, 2016

Crawford originally rejected the Clippers' one-year, $12 million offer.

David Aldridge of NBA.com reports that the third year is only partially guaranteed:

Jamal Crawford returns to Clippers (@sam_amick first). Three years, $42M, partial guarantee third year, per source.

— David Aldridge (@daldridgetnt) July 3, 2016

Crawford had been trying to get a deal done to remain a Clipper, but he had looked for a three-year deal worth $15 million a year.  The Clippers had tried to keep him on a shorter deal, but when Jamal went shopping for other offers Doc Rivers ultimately caved and brought him back for $14 million a season.

At 36 years old, Crawford has yet to show any severe signs of his age catching up to him... but it's treacherous territory once a player gets to that point in his career.  However, with just two of the three years of this deal guaranteed, the contract isn't too long.  A lot depends on the third year of the deal--if the guaranteed salary is high, it's essentially useless.  If the guaranteed salary is low, it's as if the Clippers had a team option.

While Jamal is an inefficient scorer he undoubtedly provided a much-needed scoring punch this last season while Blake Griffin was out, and the Clippers would not have been able to find a player of his caliber with the league minimum or bi-annual exception.  In that sense, using his bird rights was a no-brainer.

Now, the Clippers' last tool to fill out the roster if the bi-annual exception, which is worth $2.2 million and can run for a total of two years and $4.5 million.  Los Angeles needs another small forward to pair with the recently re-signed Wesley Johnson, and they've been linked to former Clipper Matt Barnes to fill that void.  Luc Richard Mbah a Moute, the incumbent starting small forward, is also available and the sides have mutual interest for a return.