Brooklyn Nets: Sean Marks Is Gambling In Free Agency

Apr 2, 2016; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Allen Crabbe (23) dribbles as Trail Blazers center Ed Davis (17) screens Miami Heat guard Goran Dragic (7) during the third quarter at Moda Center at the Rose Quarter. Mandatory Credit: Cole Elsasser-USA TODAY Sports

The Brooklyn Nets have made significant moves in free agency this offseason. GM Sean Marks has spent nearly $200 million on three players who have not made an All-Star team, but it’s worth a risk.

There have been rumors for the past week about the Brooklyn Nets’ interest in Portland Trail Blazers guard Allen Crabbe, and on Thursday night the Nets and Crabbe came to an agreement on a deal.

Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical reports the Nets have signed Crabbe to a four-year offer sheet, worth $75 million. Wojnarowski also reports the deal can be worth up to $83 million when factoring in bonuses.

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

The contract reportedly has a trade kicker, and carries three guaranteed years, giving Crabbe a player option on the fourth and final year.

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As Wojnarowski points out, Sean Marks and the Nets have continued to make bold plays for what they consider to be future impact pieces. The Nets have committed $150 million in offer sheets to Miami’s Tyler Johnson, and Portland’s Crabbe. It remains to be seen if Miami will match Johnson’s offer sheet. As for Crabbe, Portland now has three days to mull whether or not to match this large offer sheet.

It must also be noted that the Trail Blazers signed former Golden State Warriors center Festus Ezeli on Thursday. Ezeli’s Blazers deal is a two-year deal worth $16 million, however, The Undefeated’s Marc Spears reports the deal is only guaranteed in the first year. Ezeli will make $7.4 million this season, and Portland holds a team option for the 2017-18 season, worth $7.33 million.

The Vertical’s Bobby Marks, who used to work in the Nets’ front office, reported early Thursday that Portland would be able to take in their own restricted free agents as well as bring Ezeli aboard, since they have the Bird Rights on Crabbe, for example. However, Marks also notes that Crabbe’s salary as guaranteed by this offer sheet could pose problems for Portland next season. It will be a tense few days for Nets fans who will wait to see what Portland elects to do.

Whether Portland matches on Crabbe — or Miami matches on Johnson, for that matter — is out of Brooklyn’s control. However, it’s clear that Sean Marks and his staff are being aggressive and doing their best in the immediacy to upgrade a team coming off of 21 wins.

Crabbe hasn’t had a shot to start in his time with Portland, but that would change if he gets to Brooklyn. Crabbe could step in immediately at shooting guard for this Brooklyn squad. Head coach Kenny Atkinson could plug him in at shooting guard, and he’ll be able to make an impact right away. Crabbe brings the Nets a guard who can score, and is a proven three-point shooter.

Crabbe, 24, was selected by the Trail Blazers in the second round of the 2013 draft. He averaged 10.3 points per game in 81 games last season. For his career, he’s averaged just 19.6 minutes per game, although he played a career high 26 minutes per game last season. He shot 36.4 percent from three during the regular season and 42.9 percent from deep in 11 postseason game It’s safe to say his playing time will increase in Brooklyn, if Portland declines to match his offer sheet.

Marks has made two daring offers in free agency this offseason, spending $150 million in offer sheets to players who have yet to become full-time starters.

Next: Tyler Johnson, Brooklyn Nets