NBA journeyman Jamal Crawford is being shopped around by the Los Angeles Clippers to find a starting small forward that would complement Doc Rivers' system.

After the Clippers traded forward Matt Barnes and center Spencer Hawes to the Charlotte Hornets for shooting guard Lance Stephenson last week, there appeared to be a void in the three position of Rivers' rotation.

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Basketball analysts assumed that the starting spot would belong to Stephenson, but the Clips' coach was quick to dismiss that speculation by saying that he is planning to use the former Indiana Pacer as a "utility player" that would substitute for either the one, two or three positions, as per ESPN.

Rivers praised Stephenson's passing and playmaking abilities, but he clarified that he is not inclined to make him a starter. However, the champion coach noted that the 24-year-old is going to be an asset on defense.

"I like what he can bring for us on the defensive end first," Rivers said. "I like his body type. I think he's a tough kid and a very competitive kid. And that has gotten him in trouble at times, but the one thing he has shown in major playoff games is that he can be a top-tier defender, so that's where we start with him is on the defensive end."

The Clips are reportedly talking with the Denver Nuggets in a possible deal that would send Crawford and their 2014 first round pick C.J. Wilcox to the Nuggets in exchange for forward Wilson Chandler, as reported by Bleacher Report.

Chandler is also known as a top-tier defender and clearly this is the direction where Rivers wants to go.

Another option for Rivers is to acquire his former player, Paul Pierce, from the free agent market this July. CBS Sports recently reported that 10-time All-Star had already opted out of his contract with the Washington Wizards and is most likely headed to a reunion with his former champion coach.

Pierce can provide the much-needed "clutch presence" for the Clippers, who lost in the second round of the recent postseason against the Houston Rockets after leading the series 3-1. So far, it is only their superstar point guard Chris Paul who seems to be willing the big shots in a close game. With the man they call "The Truth," that would definitely not be the case.

TagsNBA 2015, NBA news, NBA News 2015, NBA rumors, NBA Rumors 2015, NBA Trade Rumors, NBA trade rumors 2015, Los Angeles Clippers, Jamal Crawford