KEY POINTS

  • Jamal Crawford gets chance to play NBA ball in current season
  • Michael Beasley nearing deal to suit up with Nets
  • Beasley to miss first five games for violating NBA drug policy 

At 40 years, Jamal Crawford wasn't given a fair chance by critics to return to the NBA ball. Though he showed he could still score and answer the call during the 2018-19 NBA campaign, Crawford found it tough to convince teams who preferred younger players. However, that seemed to have changed with the COVID-19 pandemic coming into play.

Some of the cagers scheduled to participate in July's bubble league backed off due to concerns about the coronavirus. The situation worsened when some players tested positive for the virus. Even before these developments, teams like the Brooklyn Nets had several stars out of nursing injuries. With options dwindling, NBA teams turned to veterans to fill up the voids.

The Nets came to terms with Crawford, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic. The 40-year-old cager will play the remainder of the season for the Nets which was reduced to 12 healthy players before the deal. Crawford is expected to fill one of the voids on the Brooklyn roster.

Players who won't be in Orlando include Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, Wilson Chandler and Nic Claxton. DeAndre Jordan, Spencer Dinwiddie and Taurean Prince will also be missing in action after testing positive for COVID-19, ESPN reported.

Crawford still faces questions on how fit he is, having not played competitive ball for more than a year now. He last suited up for the Phoenix Suns during the 2018-19 season where he played 64 games. The 6'5 guard averaged 7.9 points, 3.6 assists and 1.3 rebounds in 18.9 minutes of action with the Suns.

Jamal Crawford
Jamal Crawford may have quietly ended his career by breaking Michael Jordan's old scoring record. Jamal Crawford #11 of the Phoenix Suns in action against the Miami Heat during the second half at American Airlines Arena on February 25, 2019 in Miami, Florida. Getty Images/Michael Reaves

The Nets are reportedly nearing a contract agreement with Michael Beasley too. However, the 31-year-old can only suit up after serving his five-game suspension for violating the league's Anti-Drug policy last April, The Athletic reported. Beasley's last NBA stint came during the 2018-19 season where he played in 26 games for the Los Angeles Lakers.

The Nets are at the seventh spot of the Eastern Conference with a 30-34 card. They are just half-a-game ahead of the Orlando Magic as both teams jockey for positioning for the playoffs.

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