Phoenix Suns acquires Torrey Craig wing from Bucks

Torrey Craig # 3 of the Milwaukee Bucks will face Will Barton # 5 of the Denver Nuggets in the second quarter at Ball Arena on February 8, 2021 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman / Getty Images)

According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the Phoenix Suns are acquiring the Torrey Craig wing from the Milwaukee Bucks.

Arizona Sports’ John Gambadoro reports that the Suns waived cash in exchange for Craig, which helps enable a separate deal that sees Houston Rockets striker PJ Tucker head to Milwaukee and DJ Augustin and DJ Wilson return to Houston.

Gambadoro notes that the suns have tried to get Craig in the past.

Suns was in talks with Torrey Craig during the free agency but pulled out after signing Jae Crowder. Both Monty and James liked him – he gives Sun’s depth on the wing and another defensive-minded player. The trade is not related to any Nader injury or health and safety related to Cam.

– John Gambadoro (@ Gambo987) March 17, 2021

30-year-old Craig is a die-hard defender who made a name for himself with the Denver Nuggets for three seasons from 2017-20. After playing professionally in Australia and New Zealand, Craig originally received a two-way contract from the Nuggets for his Summer League game before impressing and rebuilding a two-year deal with Denver.

He then signed this past off-season with the Bucks with a one-year contract. Craig has struggled to find a unitary role under Mike Budenholzer this season as the athletic 6-foot-7 forward isn’t the main offensive threat. Craig has shot 32.3% out of three-point and 44.7% out of the field in his four NBA seasons.

For Milwaukee that year, Craig averaged 11 points in 18 games and 2.4 rebounds per game in 11.2 minutes per night.

The Suns were able to put Craig on the roster with an extra roster seat after giving up Damian Jones earlier this season.

Craig will be an extra wing at the end of Monty Williams’ bench, a rotation that’s currently reduced to just two as Cam Johnson (Health and Safety Protocols) stays off the team while Abdel Nader wins Monday’s win against the Memphis Grizzlies due to missed pain in the right foot. In the long run, Craig will make sure the Suns feel a lot more comfortable with long-term absenteeism in this group that includes Mikal Bridges and Jae Crowder.

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