With players backing out from the Orlando return, the NBA announced the Transaction Window for teams to sign free agents to fill these gaps. Since then, the fans have been eager to see a 40-year-old return to the league. Free-agent since last season, Jamal Crawford is finally back and he is signing with the Brooklyn Nets, The Athletic’s Shams Charania reported on Wednesday night.
Jamal Crawford has agreed to a deal with the Brooklyn Nets, sources tell @TheAthleticNBA @Stadium.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 9, 2020
Crawford last played for the Phoenix Suns in the 2018-19 season. In his last game for them, he dropped 51 points which included seven bombs from beyond the arc. At 39 years old and 20 days, he set the record for being the oldest player to score 50+ points in a game. Crawford is also one of the three players in NBA history to score more than 10 thousand points off the bench.
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Will Crawford help the Brooklyn Nets fill the gap for a scorer?
He may not be the best defender, but Crawford has shown he can score whenever he wants to. With his lightning-quick feet and shifty handles, he is a menace on the offense. His elite crossover skills have earned him the nickname, JCrossover. Along with his scoring, the veteran also has experience and leadership to offer after playing for 19 years in the league.
After losing Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, and Spencer Dinwiddie, Caris Levert would have had to carry the scoring burden alone. But the arrival of Crawford will certainly be a relief for him.
Crawford’s return has certainly made other players happy too. Isaiah Thomas and Kyle Kuzma were one of the first to welcome him back to the league.
Happy for my Bro @JCrossover I already know what he about to do with this
— Isaiah Thomas (@isaiahthomas) July 9, 2020
Welcome back @JCrossover https://t.co/XkSweGFcZA
— kuz (@kylekuzma) July 9, 2020
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After already losing five players, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported that Nets forward Taurean Prince was also confirmed to miss the NBA return. In a bid to replace him, the Nets have started contact with former 2nd overall pick, Michael Beasley, who last played for the Los Angeles Lakers back in February 2019.
Michael Beasley is moving toward a deal with the Brooklyn Nets, sources tell @TheAthleticNBA @Stadium.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 9, 2020
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The only relief for the Nets right now will be Bradley Beal announcing that he won’t play for the Wizards in Orlando. The Nets are 6.0 games ahead of the Wizards as of now. After losing their star players, it looked like the Nets would give away this lead. But Beal’s absence weakens the Wizards’ chances to qualify for the playoffs and the Nets will look to capitalize on that.
