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Allen Crabbe vs Evan Turner: Who Will Prove Their Contract First?

By Steven Dewald

Oct 8, 2015; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers forward Allen Crabbe (23) passes the ball to forward Noah Vonleh (21) against the Golden State Warriors at Moda Center at the Rose Quarter. Mandatory Credit: Jaime Valdez-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 8, 2015; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers forward Allen Crabbe (23) passes the ball to forward Noah Vonleh (21) against the Golden State Warriors at Moda Center at the Rose Quarter. Mandatory Credit: Jaime Valdez-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Trail Blazers spent a lot of cash to lock in Allen Crabbe and Evan Turner over the next four seasons. Which player will make it look like smart money first?

Allen Crabbe and Evan Turner are enjoying a lucrative summer, as both players were handsomely rewarded in free agency. The NBA’s salary cap increase saw salaries balloon, but nobody broke the bank quite like the Trail Blazers did. Neil Olshey (Trail Blazers GM) wasn’t afraid to pay top dollar to help his team take the next step. Even though there is a shortage of talented wing players in the league, the Trail Blazers have received some hefty criticism over their spending spree.

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As we learned last season with Al-Farouq Aminu, seemingly bad contracts can quickly blossom into cap friendly deals. While some national media outlets and fans might be experiencing sticker shock over Turner and Crabbe’s contracts, they will quickly get a chance to reverse the tide of criticism.

Given Terry Stotts’ past in Portland, each player will get an opportunity to claim a spot inside the starting lineup. Both players have flourished off of the bench previously, so even a reserve role doesn’t spell doom for adding value to their stock.

Crabbe’s extension does contain some unpleasant stipulations (player option, trade kicker), but his age makes him a solid candidate to outperform his contract. At 24 years old, Crabbe has the opportunity to expand his game even further before he hits his prime. If it wasn’t for C.J. McCollum‘s massive leap last season, the former Cal product would have garnered more buzz in the MIP (Most Improved Player) conversation.

Apr 25, 2016; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Allen Crabbe (23) reacts after shooting against the Los Angeles Clippers in game four of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at Moda Center at the Rose Quarter. Mandatory Credit: Jaime Valdez-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 25, 2016; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Allen Crabbe (23) reacts after shooting against the Los Angeles Clippers in game four of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at Moda Center at the Rose Quarter. Mandatory Credit: Jaime Valdez-USA TODAY Sports /

The Trail Blazers currently have a logjam at several positions, but it wouldn’t be a shock to see Crabbe’s minutes increase once again in 2016-17. His ability to shoot from outside (.393 3P% in 2015-16) would help mitigate some of the apparent spacing issues that the second unit will likely endure. Much like last season, Crabbe could find himself as the number one option in the offense for long stretches.

Turner will have a little tougher road to climb to make his deal seem like a frugal contract. He is a pass first wing that makes plays with his IQ instead of his shot. This will likely be his biggest contract in the NBA, as he will play through his prime on this current pay scale. Turner has found a way to shake his “draft bust” label by playing within himself, which meant ditching his three point and midrange shots. Several players improved their shot from deep after coming to Portland (Aminu, Harkless), so a slight to moderate improvement should be expected.

If Turner can command the offense for decent stretches and knock down a few open three pointers – he will quickly become a fan favorite. His margin for error is thinner, but he still has a chance to break the stigma that surrounds his 70 million dollar contract. It also wouldn’t hurt Turner’s standing among Rip City fans if Chandler Parsons’ tenure in Memphis turns out to be a rocky one.

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It is also possible that neither player is able to achieve the level of play that is necessary to make their contracts look good. I wouldn’t bank on that outcome though, as Olshey has proven to be a keen talent evaluator in his time as GM. Crabbe has to be the favorite to reach this milestone, but Turner isn’t as far behind as many people think.