WOJ: Suns aquire Torrey Craig from Milwaukee

[Proximo]

My fear is that this signals the Suns' continued intent to play wings at the 4, an approach that has failed miserably over and over again.

It doesn't always fail, depends on the matchup. Against some teams it actually works very well.

But I will agree if we aren't getting another big still, that is a concern.

 

[Proximo]

Agreed...but the team desperately needs another big and now doesn't have the roster spot to bring one in.

They can make one easily. There is not a real need for all three of Galloway, Moore, and Carter.

 

[1Sun]

They can make one easily. There is not a real need for all three of Galloway, Moore, and Carter.

Good point. Even less of a need for Carter with Craig on board as a wing defender.

 

[Muggz]

I hope they got him to package with someone else in a trade for the PF we need.

 

[AzStevenCal]

I hope they got him to package with someone else in a trade for the PF we need.

I doubt it. With Cameron Johnson healthy, our weakness is really at the starting spot. Unless we're seriously messing with this roster, I don't see how we can trade for a player that will fit in at the 4 for us.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

Good pickup. We will be sending waves of small forwards at teams.

 

[Cheesebeef]

The idea of the Covid of it all made this make sense to me. Never know when someone gets downed for two or three weeks.

 

[NashDishesDimes]

His stats are truly horrendous: https://sports.yahoo.com/nba/players/5893/

i get defense is hard to quantify but this guy cant even hit a free throw. This guy sucks.

 

[1Sun]

His stats are truly horrendous: https://sports.yahoo.com/nba/players/5893/

i get defense is hard to quantify but this guy cant even hit a free throw. This guy sucks.

Again, think Bo Outlaw. He can play a role, albeit a limited one, as a defensive hounder and energy guy.

 

[JerkFace]

His stats are truly horrendous: https://sports.yahoo.com/nba/players/5893/

i get defense is hard to quantify but this guy cant even hit a free throw. This guy sucks.

He’s the type of guy that you actually have to watch play to appreciate.

 

[AzStevenCal]

His stats are truly horrendous: https://sports.yahoo.com/nba/players/5893/

i get defense is hard to quantify but this guy cant even hit a free throw. This guy sucks.

He doesn't get to the line very often but he shot 70% from there in the only season where he got at least 70 attempts. And for his career, he's only taken 143 free throws. So, IOW, bad FT shooter or not, there's no real impact other than he probably won't be on the court when free throws matter the most.

 

[Superbone]

He’s the type of guy that you actually have to watch play to appreciate.

Yeah, you'll enjoy his missed FTs much more if you can watch him miss them in a Suns jersey with your own eyes.

 

[elindholm]

His stats are truly horrendous: https://sports.yahoo.com/nba/players/5893/

i get defense is hard to quantify but this guy cant even hit a free throw. This guy sucks.

The FT% is horrible, but the other numbers are okay. 36% career from three (Edit: Oops, I misread the stats page I saw, actually 32%, never mind), pretty good per-minute numbers for offensive rebounds, steals, and blocks. It looks like he gets after it. I've probably seen him play but don't remember anything about him.

 

[AzStevenCal]

He’s the type of guy that you actually have to watch play to appreciate.

I agree although I don't think we'll be watching him play all that much. He's kind of the combo forward version of our combo guard (Jevon Carter) and will likely see similar opportunities. And like Jevon, he'll be a nice player to have when we really need one stop or a momentum swing.

 

[Mainstreet]

He’s the type of guy that you actually have to watch play to appreciate.

I echo this. When he played for Denver he stood out. Craig might be a player you put on Lebron.

 

[1Sun]

I echo this. When he played for Denver he stood out. Craig might be a player you put on Lebron.

Or Kawhi/George, or Mitchell, or Murray, or Doncic...but only for stretches, as his offensive deficiencies will create issues over time.

The problem is that we still have nobody to counter AD/Harrell/Kuzma, Ibaka/Zubac, Gobert/Favors, Jokic/Porter, Nurkic/Kanter, Valanciunas/JJJ (if he returns) and Zion/Ingram/Adams.

 

[Ronin]

xc_hide_links_from_guests_guests_error_hide_media

 

[Dr dumas]

Me Likey....

xc_hide_links_from_guests_guests_error_hide_media

Closes space quickly, fights through screens. To give up cash only I like this add.

 

[JerkFace]

Yeah, you'll enjoy his missed FTs much more if you can watch him miss them in a Suns jersey with your own eyes.

I doubt he will play enough for him to have missed FTs (plural) in many games. Torrey will be like the 10-13th player on this team. He will be put in during specific situations when we need his energy and defensive skill set. Most team’s 10-13 bench players haven’t averaged 10+ minutes in their career... Torrey averaged 20 min for a Western Conference Finals team. For cash considerations I will take that every time.

 

[Superbone]

Usually we're on the other end of cash considerations deals so that's progress.

 

[Ronin]

xc_hide_links_from_guests_guests_error_hide_media

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

xc_hide_links_from_guests_guests_error_hide_media

That’s pretty funny.


Overall this guy ain’t a big piece but I suspect he’ll make some big plays throughout the rest of the season and even playoffs. It will be his pesky D - primarily his ability to make up ground quickly and seeming impeccable timing and hand location on blocks outta nowhere. A nice player to throw at a Lebron, Paul George, claw, or other wing when bridges on the bench. Also good a disruptive on ball with point guards who like to drive.

 

[JCSunsfan]

When you can get a player like Craig for pretty much nothing you do it, whether he is a need or not. You never know when injury/Covid stuff can pop up.

You can never have enough wings as long as they all don't think they need to be starters. We are definitely creating a defensive team identity.

This move is about the playoffs. Having a defensive stopper for specialty situations is a big plus.

Not sure why we need another pf with Saric, Frank, and Cam. We could use a center.

 

[Dr dumas]

You can never have enough wings as long as they all don't think they need to be starters. We are definitely creating a defensive team identity.

This move is about the playoffs. Having a defensive stopper for specialty situations is a big plus.

Not sure why we need another pf with Saric, Frank, and Cam. We could use a center.

Yes it would be great to have a 4 that’s a good rim protector along with being a scoring threat. It’s not going to happen this season so we will have to do with what we currently have.

Completely agree that we could use a backup center in the event that DA goes down or racks up fouls.

 

[1Sun]

You can never have enough wings as long as they all don't think they need to be starters. We are definitely creating a defensive team identity.

This move is about the playoffs. Having a defensive stopper for specialty situations is a big plus.

Not sure why we need another pf with Saric, Frank, and Cam. We could use a center.

Because none of them can protect the rim or score inside, each of Saric and Frank have been far more effective as a center than as a power forward, and at this point Cam's health problems might be serious, particularly given the auto-immune issues associated with the Mono he had last year combined with him now likely having COVID.

Either way, we need a big who can rim-protect and provide inside scoring. At this point I don't care if it's a power forward or a center.