Jamal Crawford Will Request Trade if Not Granted Extension

Atlanta Hawks guard Jamal Crawford plans to ask for a trade if he is not given an extension in the near future, a source close to him told FanHouse. The 11th-year veteran averaged 18 points last season, winning the league's Sixth Man of the Year award while helping the Hawks to a 53-29 record before they were swept by the Orlando Magic in the Eastern Conference semifinals.

Crawford's is not the only situation at hand for Hawks general manager Rick Sund, who must also decide whether to lock up forward Al Horford by the league's Oct. 31 deadline for extending rookie contracts. If Horford does not sign an extension this summer, the Hawks can resume negotiations next summer when Horford will be a restricted free agent. The Hawks have until June 30, 2011 to extend Crawford's contract.

Having seen the Hawks give Joe Johnson a five-year, $119 million contract, Crawford is of the belief he shouldn't be without long-term security all season long. The tenor of forthcoming discussions regarding Horford could come into play as well, as Crawford will certainly grow even less patient if the Hawks moves quickly on securing the forward's future.

Previously known as a volume shooter, Crawford has certainly raised his value since he was traded to Atlanta last summer, as his one season with the Hawks was the first time in his career that his high-scoring ways didn't go for naught. He reached the playoffs for the first time in his career, and his field-goal percentage of .449 and three-point percentage of .382 were his highest over a full season.

It's not known how motivated, if at all, Sund is to extend Crawford. But clearly, Crawford wants out sooner rather than later if Sund doesn't envision him in the Hawks' long-term plans. If Sund does opt to trade Crawford, there would be no shortage of suitors, as Crawford's explosive scoring off the bench and $10 million expiring contract could help any team.

E-mail Sam at amick.sam@gmail.com or follow him on Twitter at @samickFanHouse.

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Full story at http://nba.fanhouse.com/2010/08/27/jamal-crawford-will-request-trade-if-not-granted-extension/