What the Celtics are saying about how newcomer Torrey Craig fits with the team
Joe Mazzulla called Craig a high-level defender who has shot the ball well in recent years.
The Celtics added a wing at the trade deadline, signing 34-year-old Torrey Craig who most recently played small forward for the Chicago Bulls.
The 6-foot-5, 221-pound forward has shot at least 39 percent from 3-point range over the last three seasons. The Celtics will be the sixth different NBA franchise Craig has played for after beginning his career overseas. He played in the 2021 NBA Finals as a member of the Phoenix Suns. Craig had begun the year with Phoenix’s Finals opponent, the Milwaukee Bucks.
“Just experience, been on good teams,” Mazzulla said. “High-level defender, plays with a lot of energy. Shot the ball well over the last three years, so it’s another piece that we could have on both ends of the floor.”
Craig hasn’t played since Dec. 30. He’s been dealing with a sprained ankle. Craig said he feels good and hopes to return to action soon. Mazzulla said Craig’s experience and versatility should help ease the transition.
“He’s versatile enough to where it could be seamless from a tactical standpoint obviously understanding the language and the situational stuff that comes up, but just, you know, patience,” Mazzulla said. “Give him a chance to learn the language, learn the stuff. But at the same time he’s played for a long time so he’ll fit right in and help us at any time.”
Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens called the time leading up to the trade deadline “boring.” They knew they wanted to keep this team together for another shot at the title. The Celtics got some luxury tax relief by trading Jaden Springer to the Rockets. Then, they brought Craig on.
“Obviously the front office is trying to make some moves to put us in a good position, so I trust that,” said Brown.
Beyond just his shooting and ability to space the floor, Craig brings defensive tenacity and versatility, Jayson Tatum said.
“A veteran presence, guy that can adapt to any group, probably can play off of guys, space the floor,” Tatum said. “He brings a set of toughness, able to guard one through the four, five or whatever. So just another guy that we can add to our group and be versatile on both ends of the floor.
After Craig was released by Chicago, he and his agent looked at which teams would be the best fit for him. He said the Celtics’ competitive nature and the caliber of players Boston has were part of the reason he felt it was the right fit.
“They’re a deep team. Super talented. Well-coached, well-disciplined,” Craig said. “They play the right way. They know what it takes to win, playing defense and playing together, and having each other’s backs. You can just see it, the team chemistry and allowing each other to feed off of each other and play together. I think that’s why they’ve been so dominant the past couple of years.”
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