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Keep the Money Flowing: 3 players who could cash in with a strong playoffs

Mike Lawrie / Getty Images Sport / Getty

With the NBA salary cap projected to skyrocket north of $90 million this summer, even the most cap-stricken teams will have the funds available to sign a notable player.

The large excess of cash also means players who elevate their games during the NBA's second season have the chance to earn a huge payday come July.

Here are three players who could see their free-agent values rise with a sound playoff run:

Allen Crabbe

Largely considered a lottery team entering the season, the Portland Trail Blazers have exceeded virtually all expectations in 2015-16 - finishing fifth in the Western Conference with a 44-38 record.

While Portland's starting backcourt of Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum has garnered the majority of the attention for their success (and rightfully so), Crabbe's play off the bench has helped fortify the Blazers' second unit.

Portland will undeniably lean on Lillard and McCollum on offense in their first-round matchup, but the Blazers will likely need a third player to consistently generate offense if they hope to thwart the Los Angeles Clippers and their sixth-ranked defense.

Although he struggles to create his own shot, Crabbe can spread the floor with the best of them, knocking down 39.4 percent of his 3-point attempts this year. A stellar first-round performance from Crabbe could lead to a big-time deal this summer.

Potential Contract

After earning just $2,634,276 over his first three seasons, Crabbe will likely try to cash in this offseason. Assuming his play stays consistent in the playoffs, Crabbe could receive a contract similar to those signed by Terrence Ross and Jeremy Lamb at the beginning of the season.

Crabbe, at 23, is roughly the same age as Ross and Lamb when they signed their deals (24 and 23, respectively), and has accumulated a career win share total (5.6) comparable to the duo (7.5 and 5.1).

Lamb was handed a three-year, $21-million deal, while Ross received a three-year, $35-million contract. Crabbe could likely sign something within that range, but an impressive playoff run could see his earnings rise, particularly among teams banking on his potential.

Kent Bazemore

Tasked with filling the gaping hole DeMarre Carroll left last summer, Bazemore has done a commendable job replacing Carroll's spot in the starting rotation with the Atlanta Hawks.

Bazemore has posted almost identical numbers to Carroll's from 2014-15, averaging 11.7 points and five rebounds on 36.2 shooting from deep. Like Carroll, Bazemore is a capable defender, and could see a big payday if he comes up big in the playoffs.

The Hawks are slated to face the Boston Celtics in the opening round, meaning he'll likely be covered by Avery Bradley or Jae Crowder. Both players are capable defenders, but also give Bazemore the opportunity to prove his worth if he outplays either.

While his career started off slow, Bazemore has established himself as a solid pro in his fifth NBA season, and could be one of the many free agents looking to take advantage of the rising cap.

Potential contract

Wilson Chandler's career win shares trump Bazemore's by a wide margin (20 vs. 5.9), but Chandler's 2014-15 performance of 3.6 - after which he landed a four-year, $46.5 million extension - is comparable to Bazemore's current campaign (4.1).

Chandler had undoubtedly accomplished more than Bazemore at the time of the deal, but it's not inconceivable to project a contract slightly below Chandler's for Bazemore, particularly if he has a strong playoff run.

Evan Turner

After struggling to live up to the his high draft-pick status, Turner has carved out a solid two-year run with the Boston Celtics.

A solid ball handler, willing passer, dependable scorer, and capable defender, Turner's jack-of-all-trades approach has reportedly made several teams interested in his service.

A Sixth Man of the Year candidate, Turner's ability to create his own shot will be relied upon in Boston's first-round matchup against the Hawks.

If Turner can follow last year's solid playoff performance with an even better run this year, teams will be breaking the bank to sign the Ohio State product.

Potential Contract

While character issues affected Turner's last deal, a clean slate in Beantown should lead to a big payday for the 27-year-old.

Corey Brewer cashed in last summer, signing a three-year, $24-million contract with the Houston Rockets. Given their similar career averages (9.8 points and three rebounds for Brewer; 10.7 points and 3.8 rebounds for Turner), age (29 vs. 27) and career win shares (18 vs. 14.7), Turner will likely land a deal comparable to the Rockets small forward. An extended playoff run or a significant jump in scoring could land him north of $10 million per year.

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