How did the Phoenix Suns do at the 2021 NBA Trade Deadline?
Surely the easiest trade deadline acquisition to remember due to its recency and impact, the Suns fleeced the Milwaukee Bucks when securing the rights to Torrey Craig last spring.
Often playing as a stretch center during small ball sequences, Craig ended up playing 18.8 minutes while scoring 7.2 points per game with the Suns last year. He also stayed in the rotation during Phoenix’s run to the NBA Finals, averaging 4.0 points and 2.9 rebounds per game while shooting 40.5 percent from three during the postseason.
Those numbers already look quite solid for someone who only counted $1.6 million against the cap, but the fact that Phoenix only gave up a small amount of cash considerations to secure him made this deal that much more of a home run.
Craig resembled such a clear “bang for your buck” player last season, that his stock increased so much to the point where the Indiana Pacers offered him a two-year, $10 million deal.
Here's what Monty Williams had to say about Torrey Craig's impact on the Suns last year and how they tried to sign him last summer: pic.twitter.com/509Vrqub3e
— Gerald Bourguet (@GeraldBourguet) January 14, 2022
With the Pacers looking to sell now, having just dealt Caris LeVert to the Cleveland Cavaliers a few days ago, Craig might find himself on the move once again. We know not where he might end up, but the Suns know better than anyone how valuable he can be as a mid-season addition.
Grade: A-