Fansided

15 NBA players certain to be overpaid in free agency

By Brad Rowland

Mar 1, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Harrison Barnes (40) controls the ball while Boston Celtics guard Evan Turner (11) defends during the second half at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 1, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Harrison Barnes (40) controls the ball while Boston Celtics guard Evan Turner (11) defends during the second half at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports /
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May 11, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Allen Crabbe (23) shoots the basketball against Golden State Warriors guard Shaun Livingston (34) during the second quarter in game five of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
May 11, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Allen Crabbe (23) shoots the basketball against Golden State Warriors guard Shaun Livingston (34) during the second quarter in game five of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

10. Allen Crabbe

Shooting is a coveted trait on the NBA free agent market in 2016 and Allen Crabbe can really, really shoot. The former California Golden Bear connected on 112 threes in his third season, and Crabbe made 39.3% of his attempts while emerging as a legitimate wing option for the Blazers. Furthermore, there is evidence that his shooting breakout wasn’t a fluke (38.5% career from 3) and his sweet shooting stroke is enticing for any NBA team.

As discussed previously, though, wings are going to be overvalued in this market, and Crabbe is among that group. His shooting fits anywhere, but Crabbe doesn’t exactly bring a varied arsenal elsewhere. At 6-foot-6 (listed), Crabbe presents solid size for a shooting guard, but while he is capable of guarding with reasonable effectiveness, he will never be mistaken for a “shut-down” player on the defensive end. There is room for growth for Crabbe in that area, but in the “3-and-D” landscape, I’m not sure he qualifies.

Offensively, Crabbe also doesn’t do much beyond the shooting element. There is plenty of room for floor-spacers in his mold, but pundits believe that he will command an eight-figure-per-year salary, and that is an overpayment given where he currently lands in terms of an overall basketball profile.

Teams could be choosing between Crabbe and a player like Kent Bazemore, and while both guys have real value, the contract landscape is going to make it tough for them to earn their deals.

Next: 9. Jamal Crawford

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