Bulls-Knicks deal close, but Crawford Rejects BY K.C. JOHNSON Chicago Tribune CHICAGO - (KRT) - General managers Isiah Thomas and John Paxson have agreed in principle to a six-player trade that would send Bulls Jamal Crawford and Jerome Williams to the Knicks for Dikembe Mutombo, Othella Harrington, Frank Williams and Cezary Trybanski, league sources said. There's one small problem: Crawford's camp has rejected the trade - for now. The streamlined version of the trade talks, which have lasted for five weeks and featured countless combinations, calls for Crawford to sign a seven-year, $55 million deal. In previously discussed scenarios, Crawford stood to make that amount in six years and possibly $70 million in seven years. The new figures have given Crawford's camp pause, sources said. Since Crawford is a restricted free agent and the Bulls own his rights, Paxson has never budged from his stance that major financial relief was the only path to a deal. That Thomas has agreed in principle to send four expiring contacts to the Bulls is consistent with Paxson's philosophy. It also will save the Bulls $15 million in cash and $18 million in salary-cap space over the next four seasons. Crawford would be a base-year compensation player under the structure of the proposed deal, which is complicating matters. A league source said Thomas rejected a proposal to sign an unwanted free agent and include him in the deal as salary-cap ballast so that Crawford's salary could go higher. There is still guarded optimism on all sides that a deal will get done. The only concern is that Thomas will be put off by Crawford's camp rejecting a nearly done deal. If the trade collapses, it's almost certain Crawford will play next season for the Bulls at a qualifying offer of $3.5 million and then become an unrestricted free agent. The Bulls' pitch to re-sign Crawford for six years at $39 million is no longer an option. http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/sports/9312536.htm?1c
Hmm....i guarantee you people won't get as mad about his refusal as they did about Francis' unwillingness to go to Orlando at first. At least Francis' was about loyalty. Crawford just wants money.
Duh, it's not like the Bulls will get a T-Mac back. It's like that the Rockets treated Francis for some expiring contract.
Crawford isn't under contract, Francis was. Two entirely different situations. People don't get as mad when single guys sleep with women they aren't married to as they do when married guys do it.
I really wish he'd get it together, so much. I fear, at this point, that it'll never happen. I see the same thing happening in Crawford, and it breaks my heart. Brilliant talent, enough smarts, but no recognition or interest in combing the two.
Oh I am very mad at Crawford for two reasons; 1. He is overrated and he is definitely not worth all this money and attention. 2. If he foolishly causes this deal to fail and end "only" playing for $3.5M next season (in hope of landing the big one next summer), I will not pity or have compassion for him if he suffer a serious or career altering injury.......heck he may not get as much money as he is been offered now. I understand the business angle he is trying to argue but I hope common sense prevails. I hope he understand that he is not that good - he is just blessed to be at the right place at the right time (summer of bloated contracts and overpayment). Mind you, KH is the start PG of the Bulls and Jamal will play second fiddle - he may not have the same opportunity to shine....thereby risking devaluing his now over bloated and overhyped value.
I think Isiah Thomas has managed to wreck the Knicks for a long time. Marbury and Crawford together is a disaster waiting to happen.
Crawford won't get $56 mil next summer if he let this chance slip away. I think his camp is a bit foolish here.
I never understood what Zeke is thinking here... His only success last year was bringing in the hometown star to run the show, and now, a year later, he's ready to dump him... For what? Crawford? The epitomy of the selfish, immature basketball? What is he thinking? If this falls through, Thomas should thank Jamal for saving him from himself.
It didn't fall through. I posted this article last week and, the next day, Crawford agreed to the contract and the deal was finalized.
