Boston Celtics: 3-and-D players Cs should pursue this summer

Boston Celtics 3-and-D target No. 3) Torrey Craig

With the Phoenix Suns in the NBA finals, it’s unlikely Torrey Craig enters free agency, but on the off-chance that he does the Boston Celtics need to pursue him.

Torrey Craig is one of the NBA’s journeymen who has proved himself in the playoffs multiple times but has struggled to receive a consistent contract.

To give you an idea of how low his value was recently, the Milwaukee Bucks traded Craig for cash considerations to the Suns at the deadline.

It’s not hindsight bias to say that was a wrong move.

In 2019, Torrey Craig played an instrumental role in Denver’s 14 game playoff run on the defensive end. He took up the guard assignments, sticking with Damian Lillard for seven straight games even after Lillard came off of a wild first-round series against the Thunder.

Craig specializes in stonewalling and blocking or altering jump shots. He’s quick off his feet and has a large frame (6-7, 221-pounds), disrupting smaller and weaker guards.

On offense, Craig is no sniper, as he is a career 33% 3-point shooter, but this season Craig shot 37% from downtown and is shooting 44% in this year’s playoffs.

The wing is streaky and is not as reliable a floor spacer as Garrison Matthews and Danny Green, but he gets the job done and has no significant issues regarding his form.

If he gets hot, teams have to respect him. If he doesn’t, well, he’s still providing immense value on the defensive end.

Torrey Craig’s price tag will be relatively inexpensive this summer since he is coming off a minimum contract.

He’s never made any more than $2 million in his NBA career and has been seeking longer-term security for quite some time now.

The Boston Celtics can offer him a two-year, $6 million fully guaranteed deal to hold him over and keep their books clean.

If the Suns let Craig walk in favor of bringing in another free agent, the Boston Celtics need to give him a call.