AUGUST 20: The signing is official, according to a team press release.
“Torrey is known for toughness, defense and being a great team guy,” Pacers president Kevin Pritchard said. “As a player who went undrafted, Torrey got to where he is through hard work and perseverance. He will be a great addition to our depth and our emphasis on defense.”
AUGUST 2: The Pacers are set to ink veteran free agent swingman Torrey Craig, most recently of the Bucks and Suns, to a two-year, $10MM contract, writes Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN (via Twitter).
Bobby Marks of ESPN adds (Twitter link) that the Pacers will use a portion of their mid-level exception to sign the 6’7″ Craig. The deal is fully guaranteed, per Scott Agness of Fieldhouse Files (Twitter link).
The only player to have logged significant time playing for both NBA Finals teams during the 2020/21 season, Craig unfortunately found himself on the losing side with Phoenix, though he carved out a role for himself as a versatile, defense-first wing contributor.
After going undrafted out of USC Upstate in 2014, Craig first logged NBA action as a 26-year-old with the Nuggets in 2017. He signed a one-year deal with the Bucks as a free agent in 2020.
He struggled to carve out much of a role with Milwaukee during the first portion of the year, averaging just 2.5 PPG, 2.4 RPG and 0.9 APG in 11.2 MPG over 18 games.
Craig, 30, was ultimately traded to the Suns. In 18.8 MPG across 32 regular season contests, he averaged 7.2 PPG, 4.8 RPG and 1.0 APG. He posted a slash line of .503/.369/.800 while with Phoenix.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports.
Tough loss for Phoenix
He had a bad agent last year
He was underpaid
Good signing and good contract
Really big pickup for them, filling what has been a need for a few years. They also have Cassius Stanley capable on the wing, but Craig has more experience, and also gives them the chance to go to a few different lineups. With their draft, and this, I really like what Indiana looks like right now. Curious to see what happens with Lamb, and if he stays, or they try to get an asset for him
A lot of teams missed the boat here at that price. Have been a fan since I saw him in summer league a few years ago, and knew he was a huge pickup for phoenix
link to hoopsrumors.com
Stanley on the outs maybe. IND looking for a PG (but probably not Aaron Holiday)
Lamb has been a bust for Pacers. Give me a hard nosed defender anyway.
It would be hard for anyone to not appreciate Craig for the cost but Indy already had depth at the 3. They let McDermott & Sampson go to afford this. Should boost the D (and at 37%3 won’t hurt the O!) But is the position really boosted from all the fresh legs already? Maybe for the playoffs when rotations shorten.
Other 3s & PERs: Ed.Sumner 13, Jer.Lamb 16, Car.Levert 17, Kelan Martin 12, Oshae Brissett 17, TJ Warren 12 was 18, Cas.Stanley (tw)
Maybe Turner PF 15 was 18, maybe Brogdan PG 18,
now Torrey Craig 16 last year still improving.
Hami Diallo just signed for abput the same. Craig rebounds about the same. Good find.
My bad, left out firstrounders Duarte and Jackson, so there’s another wing and a half. almost a bucket at KFCs.