After a remarkable 20-year career, Jamal Crawford’s legacy in the NBA isn’t just about his insane handles or clutch performances. Fans fondly remember his dazzling days with the Los Angeles Clippers, where he became a highlight reel regular. Yet, what truly sets him apart is his pure, unwavering love for the game. Crawford recently revealed that he once made a significant financial sacrifice of millions of dollars. Why? Just to get more minutes on the court.

Reflecting on his career on the Run Your Race podcast, Crawford opened up about a moment that defined his dedication to hoops. At 39 years old, he turned down a $5 million offer because he wasn’t getting enough playing time with the Minnesota Timberwolves. “39 years old, I gave away $5 million to say, I’m out of here, Minnesota. I’m not playing enough. I got to go play,” Crawford shared on the podcast. For most players, nearing 40 would be a time to cash in and coast, but not for Crawford. Interestingly, it wasn’t just about money or contracts for him.

Jamal Crawford’s connection to basketball was, and still is, something more profound. “Yeah. I just love it, bro,” he confessed. For him, the game wasn’t just a job—it was a lifelong passion that kept him going, even when he could have easily walked away with a cushy paycheck and a comfortable seat on the sidelines.

Despite averaging a respectable 10.3 points in 20.7 minutes per game for the Timberwolves in his final season, Crawford wasn’t satisfied. Known for his explosive scoring off the bench, he had been a reliable sixth man for most of his career, winning the Sixth Man of the Year award three times. His journey continued with the Phoenix Suns and the Brooklyn Nets before he finally hung up his sneakers. Even at the end, he was still chasing the thrill of the game, not just the stats or accolades.

Unhappy Jamal Crawford at Wolves

Just before the 2018-19 season tipped off, Jamal Crawford turned heads by declining his $5 million player option with the Minnesota Timberwolves. While the decision has shocked some, it wasn’t exactly a curveball. As The Athletic’s Jon Krawczynski noted, Crawford was fed up with his limited playing time, making his choice to walk away from the contract a bit more predictable.

In fact, Crawford hadn’t been shy about voicing his frustrations earlier that season. “The minutes were discussed,” he stated bluntly when he was averaging just 17.7 minutes per game. “But 17 minutes were not discussed.”

After meeting with head coach Tom Thibodeau, Crawford did see a slight increase in his minutes. But Thibodeau’s tight rotation remained a sore spot in the locker room throughout the season. It wasn’t just Crawford feeling the pinch, though—players like Tyus Jones, Gorgui Dieng, and Nemanja Bjelica also struggled with limited playing time, making the bench situation a topic of tension among the team.

To make matters worse, ESPN’s Zach Lowe hinted at even deeper issues within the organization. He mentioned on his podcast that star player Karl-Anthony Towns and the Wolves were “not in a good place internally.” With all these factors in play, Crawford’s decision to step away from Minnesota was not just about minutes—it was a sign of deeper cracks in the team’s foundation.