Jamal Crawford was the first victim two years ago of the Knicks’ cap-clearing crusade. And perhaps he can still be part of the future.
Crawford, a free agent this July, said he would “definitely listen” to the overtures from the Knicks, contract-extension talks with Atlanta having hit an impasse.
Crawford thrived in D’Antoni’s offense — as the Knicks got off to a 6-3 start. The Knicks were 6-5 when he was traded for Al Harrington.
And yesterday, in perhaps an audition, Crawford torched his old club with 21 points, 10 in the fourth quarter to repel the Knicks’ rally.
“Why not,” Crawford said. “I don’t think the trade was personal. It was all about 2010 and the players you can possibly get. I love Atlanta. I want to work out an extension here, but if I become a free agent it’s not the end of the world.”
“I’ll definitely listen,” Crawford added. “If the extension isn’t working out, I would definitely listen for sure. I would meet with them.”
The Knicks will have room for a maximum contract in 2011, with Eddy Curry’s contract expiring. If Carmelo Anthony is traded to the Nets, the Knicks have room for Crawford and another solid player.
The Knicks still have a gap at shooting guard, with concern about Kelenna Azubuike, who is expected to make his debut very soon, and Wilson Chandler being a free agent. The Knicks have started surprising rookie Landry Fields.
Crawford isn’t sure this team is any better than the club broken up two seasons ago.
“In hindsight it’s easy to say it wasn’t worth it,” Crawford said. “But you have to give yourself a chance for that [2010] class. I understand it. But looking back, I don’ think it was totally worth it. But it’s a risk you have to take.”
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Joe Johnson, awful yesterday (3-of-15, seven points) said he stayed in Atlanta not for the money but because it was a “better fit” than starting anew in New York with his former Suns coach Mike D’Antoni and former teammate Amar’e Stoudemire. Johnson and Knicks brass met at the strike of midnight July 1 in Santa Monica. “[D’Antoni] was one of my top considerations,” Johnson said. “We had a great history together. Mike was the one who helped me out in my career and got me over the hump. It was very enticing. When they signed Amar’e it was big. It could’ve happened. It was more fitting for me to stay in Atlanta.”
“Atlanta was a better fit. We improved, gotten better, every year.”
Asked if the $21 million extra year Atlanta offered was the clincher, Johnson said, “Honestly not really.”