Allen Crabbe is about to get paid thanks to the Brooklyn Nets—though, ultimately, he may not be paid by the Brooklyn Nets.
According to The Vertical’s Adrian Wojnarowski, Crabbe put pen to paper on a $75 million offer sheet with the Nets:
Sources: Portland RFA Allen Crabbe has signed a four-year, $75M offer sheet with the Brooklyn Nets. Bonuses could reach $83M.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 8, 2016
Brooklyn, per CSNNW’s Jason Quick, has also promised Crabbe a spot in its starting lineup:
Brooklyn has promised Allen Crabbe he will be a starter. Crabbe wants that role. Does not want to be in Portland if he comes off bench.
— Jason Quick (@jwquick) July 8, 2016
Since Crabbe is a restricted free agent, his incumbent team, the Portland Trail Blazers, have the right to match Brooklyn’s overture. But, according to Sam Amick of USA Today, they may be more inclined to let him walk:
Allen Crabbe agrees with Brooklyn on offer sheet, $75 mil and up to $83 mil with incentives. Skepticism that Portland matches. Woj first
— Sam Amick (@sam_amick) July 8, 2016
Allen Crabbe emerged as a solid three-and-D weapon for the Blazers last season. He ranked among the league’s best spot-up shooters and catch-and-shoot defenders, according to NBA.com. He typifies everything the NBA looks for in its wings nowadays: a dude who can play shooting guard and small forward, stroke threes, survive on tough perimeter defensive assignments and move the ball without coughing up a ton of possessions.
It remains to be seen, though, whether he’s worth this type of money, even in today’s cap climate—hence the Blazers’ skepticism. They cannot afford to double down on their roster just because they made a surprise postseason run in 2015-16. They already signed Evan Turner to a $70 million contract, and he replaces much of what Crabbe does defensively, while adding additional playmaking.
That being said, Allen Crabbe can shoot. And having a low-usage wing who torches twine from long range is paramount when trying to capitalize on the drive-and-kicks of Damian Lillard, C.J. McCollum and Turner. With Crabbe only being 24, and the salary cap set to jump next summer as well, the Blazers should give serious thought to matching the Nets’ offer.
