Warriors get Crawford as backup point guard

The Golden State Warriors have been searching for a suitable backup to point guard Stephen Curry since veteran Jarrett Jack signed with Cleveland as a free agent last summer.

The Warriors had hoped Toney Douglas could help fill the void, but he couldn’t.

Now they’re counting on Jordan Crawford for more production.

The Warriors acquired Crawford and reserve MarShon Brooks from the Boston Celtics and sent Douglas to the Miami Heat on Wednesday in a three-team trade.

The Heat sent seldom-used center Joel Anthony, two draft picks and cash considerations to the Celtics in a move that creates financial flexibility for the two-time defending NBA champions and bolsters Boston’s rebuilding project. Miami gave the Celtics its 2015 protected first-round pick - originally acquired from Philadelphia - and a 2016 second-round pick. If the 76ers don’t make the playoffs the next two seasons, the 2015 first-round pick will be a second-round selection.

“The picks keep piling up and piling up. We’ve got a lot of flexibility moving forward,” first-year Celtics coach Brad Stevens said before Boston hosted Toronto on Wednesday night.

The deal gives Golden State more scoring punch behind Curry after the defensive-minded Douglas had struggled to provide much support.

Crawford is averaging 13.7 points and 5.6 assists this season, but he became expendable with Boston expecting All-Star point guard Rajon Rondo to return soon from a right knee injury that has kept him out since last January. Crawford also is shooting 41.4 percent from the field and 31.8 percent from 3-point range. AP