Atlanta Hawks: Could Find Value in Veteran Allen Crabbe

The Atlanta Hawks acquired Allen Crabbe and his terrible contract in exchange for first round pick and forward Taurean Prince. Crabbe will provide some value for a team that appears to still be rebuilding.

Trading for Allen Crabbe was an odd move for an Atlanta Hawks team that seemed to be heading in the right direction. They had plenty of cap space, exciting young players, and the ability to contend with one big move.

Now it appears the team will forgo any moves in free agency and focus on building through the draft. Meaning that this team will go only as far as Trae Young and John Collins can take them.

Allen Crabbe is a decent veteran role player who will give Atlanta another perimeter shooter and depth behind shooting guard Kevin Huerter. Crabbe average 9.6 points-per-game last season, though he is likely to earn more looks if he stays with Atlanta.

Crabbe will become the Hawk’s second highest player behind forward Kent Bazemore. Crabbe is scheduled to make $18.5-million dollars in the final year of his deal. He will join Kent Bazemore and Miles Plumlee as the three highest paid players on the Hawk’s roster… not ideal.

Crabbe is a career 39% shooter from deep and will give Trae Young another perimeter shooter. Though hardly the elite shooter the Hawks needed to help take offensive pressure off of Young.

While free agency and the draft still remain it seems odd the Hawks are willing to take on a bad contract when they appear so close to contending. Moving out from under any of the three bad contracts on their roster seem close to impossible.

Likely pointing to another year of rebuilding for the Hawks.  But in a weak Eastern Conference and with a talented young core the Hawks will still have a chance to contend with now three first round picks soon headed to Atlanta.