Further contract details have emerged for new Pacers swingman Torrey Craig, reports Keith Smith of Spotrac (Twitter link). As expected, Craig’s fully-guaranteed two-year deal will come out of a portion of Indiana’s non-taxpayer mid-level exception. It will pay him $4,878,049 during the 2021/22 season and $5,121,951 during the 2022/23 season.
The reserve wing suited up for both of the teams that qualified for the 2021 NBA Finals, starting out the season with the Bucks before concluding it with the Suns. Craig could prove to be a valuable, defensive-oriented contributor for a revamped Pacers team hoping to return to the playoffs.
There’s more out of the Central Division:
- The Pacers would prefer to leave an open spot on their 15-man regular season roster, J. Michael of the Indianapolis Star reports (via Twitter). This could enable the team to make further moves during the season.
- Now that the Pistons are bringing back forward Hamidou Diallo on a two-year deal with a team option for the second season, Detroit’s offseason transactions appear to be wrapping up, writes Keith Langlois of Pistons.com. Langlois notes that Detroit has addressed its need for long-range shooting in adding jump-shooting big man Kelly Olynyk as a free agent. Rookies Cade Cunningham, Isaiah Livers and Luka Garza were all above-average long-range snipers in college and could also fortify the team’s three-point shooting. Langlois adds that the Pistons appear to be prioritizing size and length on the wing under GM Troy Weaver.
- The Pistons’ new NBA G League affiliate, the Motor City Cruise, are set to hold open tryouts for players next month, writes Rod Beard of The Detroit Free Press. Interested players will have to pony up a non-refundable $200 for the opportunity to audition for the club.
My East predictions
Nets
Bucks
Hawks
Heat
76ers
Bulls
Celtics
Pacers
Knicks and Wizards won’t make playoffs
Fair or unfair?
Wouldn’t be surprised to see Hawks miss playoffs
I’d be even less surprised to see the Bulls miss the playoffs.
Definitely don’t think hawks will win more games then the sixers. Sixers a top four seed as long as embiid healthy
If the Sixers fail to resolve the Simmons Situation the Hawks could easily win more games than Philly does, even with a healthy Embiid.
Knicks were 24-11 with Rose in the lineup and they upgraded their two weakest positions, swapping out Elfrid Payton and Bullock for Kemba Walker and Fournier. If they’re relatively healthy, they’ll be in the playoffs. Thibs lives for the regular season and will run his players ragged to make it.
No idea how you put the Pacers in over the Knicks. Hornets will be better than the Pacers. Probably better than the Celtics, too.
I think it’s Nets, Bucks
Then everyone else. I’d consider making Atlanta and Philly locks as well, but other than that I could any of Miami, Boston, New York, Charlotte, Indiana, and Chicago making the final four seeds.
I think Washington is a notch below those teams.
This is probably one of the deeper Easts in recent memory.
Nets and Bucks then a huge dropoff for the #3 seed. There is a ton of parity in the east, that’s not the same as there being actual depth.
Thoughts and prayers. He was a good man. RIP