Bulls Free Agency Target: Allen Crabbe
By Ben Rains
Allen Crabbe will be a restricted free agent in a couple of days. The Portland Trail Blazers have his full Bird Rights, which allows them to match any potential offer the Chicago Bulls could make.
The Chicago Bulls should present an offer sheet to Allen Crabbe.
The 2015-16 season marked the first time the 24-year-old Crabbe has seen a significant amount of playing time since he was drafted in 2013. The Blazers were admittedly in rebuilding mode last season after losing LaMarcus Aldridge and Nicolas Batum in last year’s free agency frenzy.
Crabbe played a vital role in the Blazers quick turnaround.
He averaged 10.3 points per game coming off the bench, shooting just over 45 percent. Crabbe played 26 minutes per game and missed only one. Crabbe’s quick and steady offense in a reserve role earned him a few Sixth Man of the Year votes.
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The 6’6” Crabbe has the ability to play both shooting guard and small forward. He exemplifies the NBA’s transition into more positionless basketball. With a 6’11.25” wingspan, he has the ability to play the passing lanes.
In Portland, he defended both guard positions as well as small forward. Although he looks thin, he can match up against more physical players.
Crabbe’s presence in Chicago would help the Bulls improve their shooting while getting younger.
When Crabbe was drafted three seasons ago, he was drafted in the NBA as a pure shooter. The former Pac-12 Player of the Year has a smooth and quick release from everywhere on the court.
His fantastic shooting this season placed him amongst some of the game’s elite shooters. He was one of only nine players to shoot 45 percent from the field, 39 percent from 3-point range and 85 percent from the free throw line. Crabbe shot 39.4 percent from deep on 3.5 attempts per game.
Inside of the 3-point arc, Crabbe excelled as well.
He shot an impressive 46 percent on mid-range shots. His long wingspan allows him to shoot over defenders everywhere on the court, especially around the rim, where shot 70 percent.
He is able to run of screens for quick catch-and-shoot opportunities. Crabbe also has a great first step allowing him to blow by defenders. He also utilized an extremely effective pull-up floater.
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There are some concerns if the Bulls were to sign Crabbe.
Despite his scoring, he is not the best ball handler and he did not fill up the stat sheet aside from scoring. He will also be receiving a relatively large contract next season, in the $10-15 million per year range.
The Bulls need more ball handling, but that could come with re-signing E’Twaun Moore. Plus, the Bulls just just drafted a player who has the ability to bring the ball up and make plays for his teammates in Denzel Valentine.
Crabbe would provide the Bulls a lot of what they were missing last season.
He is an excellent three-point shooter and he shoots without hesitation within the flow of the offense. He’s fundamentally sound on defense and fights to stay in front of his man and rarely overcommits. His size and length would give the Bulls the option to switch more often defensively.
Crabbe might not be a traditional small forward, but that hardly matters. He was able to play that role very effectively alongside Portland’s star backcourt duo of Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum. He was also able to slide down to shooting guard when needed.
Crabbe knows his role and will be comfortable conceding the limelight to Jimmy Butler or anyone else, as he did in Portland.
Next: Bulls Free Agency Primer: Small Forwards
The Bulls want to get younger and more versatile. Fred Hoiberg wants to space the floor by attempting and making more three-pointers.
At the right price, Crabbe fits the bill.
The man with the great hair could be a perfect free agent fit on a Bulls team looking to retool this offseason.