The Clippers were informed on Thursday that guards Jamal Crawford and Chauncey Billups intend to sign contracts with the team when the NBA’s moratorium period is lifted for free agents to sign deals, according to NBA executives who were not authorized to speak publicly on the matter.
Crawford, an unrestricted free agent who opted out of his $5.2 million contract with the Portland Trail Blazers, has been offered a spot by the Clippers. He is expected to sign a three-year, $15.7 million contract, according to the executives.
Billups, who played in just 20 games last season with the Clippers before suffering a season-ending left Achilles tendon surgery, will sign a one-year deal that could be worth up to $4.3 million if he reaches bonuses, the executives said.
With Crawford and Billups reaching deals with the Clippers, L.A. cancelled the visit they had planned for free agent shooting guard Ray Allen on Friday.
At 6-5, the 32-year-old Crawford gives the Clippers the size in the backcourt they lacked last season.
Crawford averaged 13.9 points per game last season in Portland, and has averaged 15.3 points over his 12-year career. He shot 30.9% from three-point range last season, and has averaged 34.8% over his career.
Crawford, who has played for five teams, was the NBA’s sixth man of the year in 2010 with the Atlanta Hawks. He’ll probably start for the Clippers until Billups returns from his injury.
Billups, who averaged 15 points for the Clippers last season, is hopeful that he’ll be back sometime in December.
WRITTEN BY Broderick Turner & FULL STORY HERE
