Jamal Crawford, Portland Trail Blazers agree to one-year deal

Perimeter scoring is a scarce commodity in this year’s NBA free agent class, and on the pool of productive shooting guards just got a bit more shallow.

The Portland Trail Blazers have agreed to a one-year, $5 million deal with veteran shooting guard Jamal Crawford, as first reported by Sports Illustrated’s Sam Amick. According to ESPN’s Chris Broussard, the deal — which still must be finalized — includes a second-year option worth another $5 million.

Crawford, 31, saw his offensive output dip to 14.2 points per game — his lowest total since 2005-06 — but in the wake of Brandon Roy’s medical retirement, the Blazers could certainly use another threat on the perimeter with the ability to explode for 30 points once or twice a month.

The 11-year veteran reportedly turned down a pair of offers from the Knicks (one year, $2.5 million) and Kings (one year, $6.5 million), with an eye at next summer, when he plans to test the free agent market.

In order to give Crawford the full $5 million, Amick reported the team must either use the amnesty clause on Roy’s contract and then use the mid-level exception or secure a disabled player exception for Roy. Portland currently only has a $3 million mid-level exception to use on Crawford.

Crawford spent the last two years helping the Atlanta Hawks reach the postseason after playing five seasons in New York and four in Chicago.

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