Crawford to Phoenix Suns front office when he retires?

The aging veteran hasn’t mentioned retirement recently but when he does decide to hang them up, the Phoenix Suns should have a front office job for him.

At the start of the season, the Phoenix Suns signed Jamal Crawford. This is the 39-year-old’s 8th team and his 19th season in the NBA. Though he hasn’t really mentioned retirement with a strong nod one way or the other recently, it’s fair to say that time is coming soon.

He sits at 19,281 points scored in his career, which is just outside of the Top-50 in NBA history. He’s been named Sixth Man of the Year three times (2010, 2014 and 2016). The man is a great teammate and won NBA Teammate of the Year in 2018.

He’s been around the ringer and knows change. Being on eight different franchises, surviving through 19 seasons and having18 head coaches in the association gives a player a LOT of experience. He brings a lot to the table, not just as a player but as a basketball mind.

When it comes time to hang up his sneakers, he would fit great in a front office role somewhere. Enter the Phoenix Suns, who need to add to their front office. It would be fitting that he ends his playing career here and starts his front office career here.

He’s already been helping the youth and even though he hasn’t been able to be the player he once was, he isn’t the type of player to just walk away. Rather, he is the type of player that would want to stick around and see this through, helping along the way. Phoenix would be wise to allow him to do just that.

Per AZ Central, Crawford has had high praise for his head coach, Igor Kokoskov.

"“He’s one of the smartest coaches I’ve been around,” Suns veteran guard Jamal Crawford said. “When it comes to play calling and things of that nature.”"

He knows the go-around, as he recently told Arizona Sports.

"“I’ve almost been in the NBA half my life, which is crazy if you think about it. You have to adjust, evolve, reinvent, everything in between,” he said."

He also stated in that article that he likes being around the youth and helping them lay out the foundation for their careers.

"“This year has been one of the more challenging years to be quite honest — on so many different levels — but one of the gratifying parts is seeing the younger guys take the next step. They don’t even know, this is the foundation for the rest of their career.”"

Crawford is still having fun and may continue playing basketball. The Suns could re-sign him for another year at the veteran minimum this summer and have him as a reserve off the bench that could step in when needed.

Or, they could go another route. Why not offer him a front office position where he knows his future is in place and gets to embark upon his next endeavors while not having to move in the process. Mr. Crawford would be great in a front office position, and the Phoenix Suns should offer him one after his contract expires this summer.