I heard several reports earlier in the eason stating that Jamal Crawford was going to opt out from the remaining near $20 million of his giftwrapped deal from Ole St. Zeke. You heard them too:

“Imagine Crawford in D’Antoni’s system, he’ll be an All-Star!”

I didn’t believe them by any stretch of the imagination. I “imagined” Donnie’s face when he dealt the contract, and we were the first to piece together the Al Harrington connection.

The economy wasn’t great then either, and when you think that Crawford managed to accumulate a ton of losses along with his points throughout his career, I wondered, “who on earth would offer him a big contract?”

Fast-forward several months later, Crawford will keep his $19.4 million and play for his new team, thank you very much.

Recent trade or not, Crawford came to his senses. No team in the league would pay him an extended deal at what he’s making now. Not in this market, and not what his value is.

Which brings you to Nate Robinson. For argument’s sake, let’s say Crawford left his money on the table. How much money would he be worth? 7 million? 7.5? Would a team pay him that for one year, let alone long term? If you were a GM in this league, do you open up your checkbook for JCraw and seriously sign him for 7 plus? Name a team who would pay $7 million for a shoot first, no defense-playing combo guard who has stockpiled losses. Too risky, in my opinion.

Would the Cavs, who desperately could use Craw’s jump shooting, bring him in? Face it, by trading Acie Law and Speedy Claxton, the Hawks are basically paying $5 million for his services over the next two years. In trying to judge what Crawford’s value is, I’m finding it hard to believe he’s anywhere near what he’s being paid. Is he a “bargain” at 2 years/14 million? Seriously, think about it.

Sure  you can tell me that in the right situation, he could be a productive player and help a star player win big games. But my point is, will that player’s GM take the lucrative risk on a player who hasn’t done it? In this economy, with next year brewing, the answer is no.

Despite the fact that he’s played on losing teams, Crawford is a pretty established scorer in this league so where does that place Nate? Are we to believe that if Crawford were a 7 million dollar free agent that Nate is worth the same? Surely not.

Nate would be worth less than Crawford, who at this point is worth less than his own contract, hence why he didn’t opt out.

You really have to think hard if you want to judge market value in today’s NBA.