The Brooklyn Nets will be interested in the services of Allen Crabbe when free agency opens on July 6th, reports Ian Begley of ESPN New York.
The 76ers, Nets and Kings are among the teams interested in Portland restricted free agent Allen Crabbe, sources say.
— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) June 29, 2016
Of course, Crabbe is an unrestricted free agent from the Portland Trail Blazers, a team that will only have one player earning more than 10 million a year in 2016-2017 — Damian Lillard. This, undoubtedly, will make acquiring the 6’4 shooting guard a bit tougher, but he certainly fits the bill on general manager Sean Marks’ off-season checklist. While at the press conference for Isaiah Whitehead on Tuesday, head coach Kenny Atkinson hinted towards the Nets’ strategy when the window opens:
Kenny Atkinson on who Nets will go after in free agency: "Undervalued guys, guys that might be a little under the radar that can produce."
— Andy Vasquez (@andy_vasquez) June 28, 2016
Crabbe averaged 10.3 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 1.2 assists over 26 minutes per game — but also shot 39.5% from behind the arc in an electric Portland offense. However, playing behind C.J. McCollum and Lillard may have limited Crabbe’s offensive potential, not dissimilar to Harrison Barnes in the Golden State Warriors’ stacked starting lineup. If Crabbe were to sign an offer sheet — and the Trail Blazers let him walk — could he shine in Brooklyn?
Whether or not the Nets wrangle Crabbe away from the Pacific Northwest, it should serve as an indicator of their summer plans. Between Jeremy Lin, Al Horford, Rajon Rondo, and now Crabbe, it’s clear that the Nets are willing to explore all avenues in hopes of improving in both the short and long term.
