The Brooklyn Nets have agreed to trade forward Andrew Nicholson to the Portland Traiblazers for shooting guard Allen Crabbe.
One year after losing him, the Nets have gotten hold of Allen Crabbe.Last July, the shooting guard signed a four-year, $75 million offer sheet with Brooklyn, only to have Portland match it.
Tuesday, the Trailblazers traded the shooting guard, who has three years remaining on that same deal, to Brooklyn.
Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN was first with the report:
Portland has traded Allen Crabbe to Brooklyn for Andrew Nicholson, league sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 25, 2017
Portland is expected to waive power forward Andrew Nicholson, clearing the nearly $20 million that he’s due over the next three years off its books.
Woj also reports that there was a one-year window before the teams could re-engage in talks over the previously restricted free agent.
Sources: Crabbe waiving trade kicker. Also: Portland, Nets had to wait one year from matching of Crabbe's $75M offer sheet to execute deal. https://t.co/1gmXcLPYTF
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 25, 2017
Portland may be making this move in preparation for their involvement in a three-way trade that would involve embattled New York Knicks star Carmelo Anthony.
No one’s expecting them to land ‘Melo in any deal, but if they’re going to take part in such a transaction, they certainly had to clear some cap space.
Last season, Crabbe averaged 10.7 points on 44 percent shooting from deep.
The Nets finally got their man—it just took a little longer than expected.