Hawks’ three-team trade is official

The Los Angeles Clippers’ Jamal Crawford gets a shot off against the Altanta Hawks’ Kyle Korver, right, during the first half at Philips Arena in Atlanta on Monday, Dec. 23, 2014. (Curtis Compton/Atlanta Journal-Constitution/TNS)

The Los Angeles Clippers’ Jamal Crawford gets a shot off against the Altanta Hawks’ Kyle Korver, right, during the first half at Philips Arena in Atlanta on Monday, Dec. 23, 2014. (Curtis Compton/Atlanta Journal-Constitution/TNS)

The Hawks’ three-team trade that returned a first-round draft pick, Jamal Crawford, Diamond Stone and cash considerations was approved by the NBA and announced by the team Thursday with the end of the league’s moratorium.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported an agreement on the trade was reached Tuesday between the Hawks, Nuggets and Clippers. The first-round pick was an important part of the trade for the Hawks and was the deciding factor in getting involved in the deal that helped the Nuggets clear salary-cap space to sign former Hawks power forward Paul Millsap.

“As we continue to focus on maintaining flexibility and adding assets, this deal accomplished multiple goals and made a lot of sense for us,” Hawks general manager Travis Schlenk said in a statement released by the team. “First round picks have great value and Diamond is an intriguing, young player to add to our group.”

The Hawks received from the Clippers: The Rockets’ 2018 first-round pick (acquired in the Chris Paul trade), Crawford, Stone and cash.

The Nuggets received from the Hawks: A 2019 second-round pick (acquired from the Wizards in the Tim Hardaway Jr. trade).

The Clippers received from the Nuggets: Forward Danilo Gallinari in a sign-and-trade transaction.

Crawford, 37, is a veteran of 17 NBA seasons and will be making his second stint with the Hawks after playing here in 2009-11. Crawford has expressed a desire not to return to Atlanta, according to a person familiar with the situation. The Hawks could work with Crawford on a trade, waive or buyout if they choose. There are several teams with reported interest in Crawford should he become available. Schlenk did not mention Crawford in his statement.

The shooting guard is a three-time Sixth Man of the Year award winner, including once with the Hawks.

Crawford has career averages of 15.3 points, 3.5 assists and 2.3 rebounds in 30.6 minutes in 1,182 NBA games. He spent the past five seasons with the Clippers and has also played for the Bulls, Knicks, Warriors and Trail Blazers.

Stone, 20, was a second-round pick out of Maryland by the Pelicans and traded to the Clippers on draft night last year. He played seven games with the Clippers and 13 games in the G League with Santa Cruz and Salt Lake City. The center is expected to play for the Hawks’ entry in the Las Vegas Summer League starting Friday.