One of the biggest pushes the Portland Trail Blazers had to make this offseason, was forking out $75 million over a four-year span to sign young shooting guard Allen Crabbe.
But the Blazers were close to not matching the sum first-offered by the Brooklyn Nets, who enamored the 24-year-old with an inclusive pitch that could almost assure him a starting spot in the rotation. GM Sean Marks and head coach Kenny Atkinson had pitched the California product on a new culture, one that he would play a major part of changing and making his own.
“At first when they made the offer, I thought somebody was joking with me,” Crabbe told Anthony Puccio of Nets Daily. “You know man, it was my first free agency and I knew the new TV deal kicked in so the salary cap went up significantly, but I still didn’t know exactly what my range was. When they told me that (pauses with impressed face) I had so many feelings. I was excited, happy. It was a crazy feeling just knowing that a team wanted me like that. It felt really good.”
Crabbe was especially intrigued about being a starter in the league after only being in the league for three years and a second-rounder as well.
“As a basketball player, everybody’s dream is to be a starter and I had that chance here in Brooklyn,” said Crabbe. “And if that isn’t your dream as a basketball player, then you shouldn’t be playing.”
“It was cool, man. Just hearing how they were going to use me, it was a good feeling knowing I was a big part of the puzzle. For them to invest that much in me and be that interested, it’s a good feeling. When I met with them, they were straightforward and told me, ‘Look we’ve got a lot of young guys here that are looking to compete. We’re going to try and build from here.’ So you know, I felt like that was a positive first step going into something good being built here.”
The 6-foot-6 swingman had averaged impressive numbers in limited, but pivotal minutes for Portland, scoring 10.3 points per game and grabbing 2.7 rebounds, while knocking down the three at a proficient 39.4 percent.
Ultimately, Crabbe chose to re-sign with the Blazers once they matched the offer sheet, given an extended role off the bench. He was shortly after asked if he had any second thoughts.
“(Laughs) Yeah man. I think it’s human nature,” he said. “You think ‘what if. What if I was playing here?’ So there’s always that. I don’t think about it too much, but I’m focused on being here and helping this team be successful.”
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