Allen Crabbe: Portland Trail Blazers’ Quiet Trade Asset

[The_Lillard_King]

Crabbe was anticipated to be a first round selection by each credible mock draft, and his slip to the second round could have cured a roomful of chronic hiccupers. The 6’6” rookie shooting guard left U.C. Berkeley with three years experience and multiple accolades, including the coveted Pac-12 Player of the Year Award. Portland targeted him for his three-point shooting.

Yet the poor lad has tallied just 41 minutes of court time at the NBA level (less than one full game). With Wesley Matthews, Mo Williams, CJ McCollum, and, to a lesser extent, Will Barton all capable of playing the shooting guard position as well, the Trail Blazers have a veritable logjam in their backcourt. They would be better off moving Crabbe at the deadline (as would he).

http://ripcityproject.com/2014/01/23/allen-crabbe-trade-portland-trail-blazers-sweetener/

 

[illmatic99]

It has worked so I can't complain about it, but I hate how Terry has only a 9 man rotation. I can live with a few losses at the cost of getting some of these young guys (everyone but Leonard haha) some PT. You never know when you will need them in the future-- be it in a contributing role off the bench or as a trading chip.

 

[Draco]

Would you trade Crabbe for two marginal future second round picks? I'm pretty indifferent but doubt his value would be any higher now than back at the draft.

This could be a good year for him to learn the NBA game. I think we might see both Mo and Barton on different teams next year. That would give Crabbe an opportunity to be the primary backup SF, or be the primary SG backup if CJ becomes comfortable backing up Lillard at PG.

He can obviously shoot the ball, but nearly everyone on our roster can right now. He really needs to develop another skill, this team could really use a wing defender so if he can become just average in that department but really hustle every minute he is on the court he could carve out a nice niche role as soon as next season.

 

[Draco]

The only holes this team has is a backup big man and a backup wing defender. If Crabbe can be a small part of a package to acquire that player sure go ahead and make the deal. But there's not many of those players available, and we will likely need to part with other assets as well, so its very likely no deal will be made. I don't expect any roster adjustments until the offseason. At that time we can throw our MLE at the best bench player available, without giving up any compensation to another team.

 

[Pinwheel1]

"But that’s just one example. The point is that Portland cannot accommodate all the talent they possess. I’d rather see Allen Crabbe find a team that he can contribute to than watch him waste his rookie season and beyond warming the Moda Center bench. The Trail Blazers don’t need to make drastic roster changes this season, but they do need draft options in seasons to come. It might be a good idea for them to test the trade water and see what they can fish out."



^

Personally I don't care about what is best for Crabbe, I am only concerned with what is best for the Blazers. What I don't want to see, is him blow up in two years....on another team. Things change quickly in the NBA, what our needs are now can change in a hurry. So I have no problem sitting rookies for a full year to see how they improve. I am also OK with trading these young assets, but the return for them needs to be smart.

Crabbe is no Petrovic, but none-the-less we should not give him away for a short fix that really doesn't help us get to the next level. And then watch him play well for someone else. I guess what I am saying is just don't trade him because we are loaded at SG right now. Because next year (or the year after) we might not be so deep.

 

[noknobs]

I think Crabbe could be good if he ever gets a chance, and we will. I'd rather hold on to him for now.

What was that famous quote from The Godfather, "Leave the Crabbe, take the Claver"? Something like that.

 

[Natebishop3]

He's a rookie. He can chill for a season and learn the game. Personally, I put him much higher on the depth chart than Barton. He's just out of the rotation right now, but that could change in an instant if there was an injury or a trade. He is one player that I'm most excited to see in the summer league because I want to see how he developed from last summer. I think he has a lot of potential, and I don't think he's someone that we should just trade to trade.

 

[blue9]

Personally, I put him much higher on the depth chart than Barton.

I'd put him higher than Barton, Wright, and Claver. Probably higher than Watson since Mo is playing where Watson would play.
I wouldn't trade Crabbe unless we're getting a bona fide asset in return - not future 2nds, not some washed-up insurance stiff. His current trade value is right next door to zero. Hang onto him, give him some minutes and the return will only get better. Minutes could definitely open up for him next season (heck - even this season).

 

[Draco]

"But that’s just one example. The point is that Portland cannot accommodate all the talent they possess. I’d rather see Allen Crabbe find a team that he can contribute to than watch him waste his rookie season and beyond warming the Moda Center bench.

I don't agree with your premise. Portland is generally considered to have less bench talent than the majority of NBA teams, so if Crabbe can't get a sliver of playing time here why would he fare better on a different team? Sure if he went to a bad team such as the Bucks and was given 30 minutes a night he might put up stats, but that can be said for nearly every player in the league. Eventually he will have to outperform other NBA players and he has as good of an opportunity doing it here as anywhere.

 

[BigGameDamian]

Interesting, I like Crabbe and I think he'll make for a fine player. For contending teams, you can't hold onto every young player you draft with the fear that he'll blow up on another team. If that's the case then your not going to get very far.

 

[Pinwheel1]

I don't agree with your premise. Portland is generally considered to have less bench talent than the majority of NBA teams, so if Crabbe can't get a sliver of playing time here why would he fare better on a different team? Sure if he went to a bad team such as the Bucks and was given 30 minutes a night he might put up stats, but that can be said for nearly every player in the league. Eventually he will have to outperform other NBA players and he has as good of an opportunity doing it here as anywhere.

That is not my premise. I was quoting from the article....of which I did not agree with either.

 

[Draco]

He's a rookie. He can chill for a season and learn the game. Personally, I put him much higher on the depth chart than Barton. He's just out of the rotation right now, but that could change in an instant if there was an injury or a trade. He is one player that I'm most excited to see in the summer league because I want to see how he developed from last summer. I think he has a lot of potential, and I don't think he's someone that we should just trade to trade.

Yeah I have basically zero hope of Barton or Meyers ever being contributing role players. Barton is out of control, a mediocre shooter, an average athlete and a below average defender. Meyers makes numerous bone head plays every few minutes. After a players second season you just don't see massive changes in those aspects of a guys game. Think of Javalee McGee, he was a bonehead in Washington and he still does dumb plays all the time. Denver really regrets paying him that contract. A guy like Lopez was a heady player as a rookie, and he came into the NBA at the same age as Meyers. Both had only two years of college ball. You can only round out small imperfections in a player once they are in the NBA, they can't be completely overhauled.

 

[BigGameDamian]

The guy mentions the Spurs. I wouldn't mind getting Boris Diaw.