On the eve of training camp, the depleted Nets added a veteran, playoff-tested presence to their roster and were working on another.
After arriving in Orlando, Fla., for the NBA’s resumption without seven players because of coronavirus, opt-outs and injuries, the Nets agreed to a deal with Jamal Crawford and were “moving toward” one with Michael Beasley late Wednesday night, according to The Athletic.
Neither player has appeared in a game this season. The 40-year-old Crawford’s last game came on April 9, 2019. He left a memorable impression in that one with the Suns, dropping 51 points on the Mavericks while shooting 18-for-30 from the field and 7-for-13 from deep.
Crawford will provide backcourt depth for the Nets, who will be playing without guards Kyrie Irving (shoulder surgery) and Spencer Dinwiddie (coronavirus). They had also signed point guard Tyler Johnson on June 24, but after losing Taurean Prince (coronavirus), DeAndre Jordan (coronavirus) and Wilson Chandler (opt-out) since then, they had open roster spots to fill.
Beasley would plug another, though not immediately. The 31-year-old former Knicks forward must first serve a five-game suspension for violating the league’s anti-drug policy last April. He last played with the Lakers in February 2019 before sitting out this season. The 11-year veteran, who is close with Kevin Durant, has appeared in 25 playoff games during his career and adds a physicality (6-foot-9, 235 pounds) to a frontcourt missing Prince, Chandler, Jordan and Nic Claxton.
While it remains to be seen how much Crawford has left in the tank, especially after a long layoff, he should fit in well. He is a three-time NBA Sixth Man of the Year and also was named the NBA’s Teammate of the Year in 2018.
Crawford also brings plenty of playoff experience to a team that largely lacks it. He has played in 74 postseason games, over half of them coming from his time with the Clippers. He last went to the playoffs with the Timberwolves in 2018.
The Nets will be Crawford’s ninth team in his 20th season in the league, five of which came with the Knicks from 2004-2008.