Golden State Warriors upgrade backcourt with three-team trade for Jordan Crawford and MarShon Brooks

In a move that strengthens their already potent backcourt, the Golden State Warriors have acquired guard Jordan Crawford and swingman MarShon Brooks from the Boston Celtics as part of a three-team trade. As part of the deal, the Warriors sent guard Toney Douglas to the Miami Heat, who in turn sent center Joel Anthony and draft considerations to Boston.

The deal provides Warriors coach Mark Jackson with two more talented and versatile perimeter players who can create their own shot and score. With the loss of free agent Jarrett Jack in the offseason, and the relative lack of production from Douglas, the trade fills a need by giving Golden State some punch off the bench.

Crawford, 25, is not a true point guard, but can handle the ball well enough to provide minutes at the position.  This season he is averaging 13.7 points, a career-high 5.7 assists, and 3.1 rebounds per contest.

He was named Eastern Conference Player of the Week for the week ending December 8, averaging 23.3 points on 61 percent shooting to go along with 6.7 assists and 3 rebounds over three games, including a 23-point effort against the New York Knicks on December 8 in which he connected on a career-high six three pointers.

Crawford can be a bit of a high volume shooter at times, but he has three point range and leaping ability.

He first gained notoriety with those hops in college when he dunked on LeBron James at a basketball camp, causing James and his corporate representatives to desperately hide any video footage of the play.  As seen by his performances in the NCAA Tournament, Crawford is not afraid to take shots in the clutch.

Brooks, 24, has appeared in 10 games with Boston this season, averaging 3.1 points, 1.9 rebounds and 7.3 minutes per contest.  He seems to still be looking for his niche in the NBA, but as a rookie with New Jersey in 2011-12, the 6’5” swingman averaged 12.6 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 2.3 assists in 56 games (47 starts), earning All-Rookie Second Team honors.

During that rookie year, Brooks showed the ability to score one-on-one off of iso plays on the wing.  With his ability to create and finish, perhaps his anticipated role with the Warriors as a scorer off the bench will suit him best.

Douglas had little impact thus far this year, averaging only 3.7 points and 1 rebound in 11 minutes per contest.

With a perimeter corps featuring the Splash Brothers, Brooks, Crawford, Andre Iguodala, and Harrison Barnes, Golden State should enter the postseason with plenty of firepower at its disposal.

As for Miami, the trade is a straight salary dump that clears Anthony off the books.  With several of the Heat's key players potentially exploring free agency, the team needed to be as flexible as possible with its payroll.

Boston, meanwhile, continues to be in rebuild mode as it stockpiles picks for the next few seasons and perhaps looks to tank a bit for a loaded upcoming 2014 Draft. One of the picks is a protected first round selection, which could ultimately become a second round choice, according to the deal's terms.

By Staff of The Daily Sports Herald and news services