Jamal Crawford informed the Portland Trail Blazers on Wednesday that he intends to use the opt-out clause that releases him from the final year, an option year, of his contract, according to Marc Spears of Yahoo Sports. The move makes Crawford a free agent this summer, and a player that the Philadelphia 76ers could be interested in once free agency starts.
Crawford was the subject of trade rumors earlier in the week. The Sixers were one of several teams said to be interested. Portland convinced the veteran guard to extend his opt-out deadline in order to pursue a trade.
The 76ers could lose Lou Williams over the summer as he hits free agency. Crawford would be a natural replacement. He was expected to opt out after the draft. The Celtics, Clippers, Suns and Timberwolves were all said to have varying degrees of interest in Crawford.
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