Jamal Crawford Wants To See LeBron James Team Up With Steph Curry and Jimmy Butler In Golden State

Jamal Crawford is not betting that LeBron James is done. He is betting on Golden State.

Rich asked the question directly. Is LeBron done in LA, done period, or staying put?

"I don't think he's done period," Crawford said. "He's such a big icon that I think he'll say it early enough where he can really enjoy going in every city knowing it's his last time. He can let that city enjoy knowing it's his last time."

The LA piece was where Crawford got more cautious.

"If it's his last year in LA, that's a little bit different," Crawford said. "Part of the last part of fun, even though it's frustrating, was that he was back being the number one option being a quote unquote third option the whole year. And maybe not sliding down even further than that if they're going to get even better to try to compete for a championship. I'm not sure he's on board with that."

If LeBron looks for the next spot, Crawford has one team in mind.

"Golden State," Crawford said.

The fit, in his framing, is the same one Jimmy Butler unlocked.

"I think for him, he staggers what they do well," Crawford said. "Jimmy Butler made what made them dangerous because he had all this shooting. He had all these people that can move around and give space to let him do his one-on-one thing that he needed to do in the playoffs when the game slowed down."

The Warriors' system has a basketball-IQ entry fee.

"I've always said for years, especially when they were in their championship run, you can't play in Golden State if you don't have a high basketball IQ," Crawford said. "It's such read and reacts and making the right reads and the ball not sticking."

The role, in Crawford's framing, is one LeBron could fill at this stage of his career.

"I think LeBron can kind of fill that role of playing that style and still, you know, his IQ," Crawford said. "In the playoffs, Jimmy was going to definitely help Steph. I think LeBron can give a version of that."

He claimed the prediction outright.

"If I'm right, you got to play it all the time, Rich," Crawford said.

Rich's shot was different.

"My shot is he stays put here," Rich said.

He floated the secondary.

"If he leaves LA, Cleveland," Rich said.

Crawford liked the call.

"I think maybe full circle going home again," Crawford said. "The way it is constructed, if he goes home, he's not the guy. He can be the guy if necessary. And it's a full circle moment."

Rich credited Crawford's dart.

"Your dart may be closer to the bullseye than mine," Rich said. "That sounds really good. I want to change, but I'm going to stay solid."

The handshake landed.

"How about that?" Crawford said. "I'll take the Eastern Conference. You took the Western. We got this thing covered."