CHICAGO, IL – MARCH 03: Phoenix Suns Forward Torrey Craig (0) posts up against Chicago Bulls Forward … [+]
The Chicago Bulls might be stuck in no man’s land, but at least they walked away from the 2023 offseason with a few noteworthy free agent acquisitions.
Jevon Carter ($19.5 million over three years), and Torrey Craig ($5.3 million over two years) should both get immediate rotation roles with the team.
Today, let’s focus on the addition of Craig.
The 32-year-old is, in a single word, steady. He won’t wow anyone with fancy ball-handling, nor will he at any point average 20 points. What Craig will do, however, is bring immediate toughness, high-quality defense, and a spot-up three-point presence at the big wing which the Bulls have needed for years.
Craig spent last season with the Phoenix Suns, starting 60 games and putting up modest raw numbers of 7.4 points and 5.4 rebounds across 24.7 minutes per night. Craig canned 39.5% of his 3.2 attempts from range, including 45% accuracy from the corners, which made up just over 47% of all his three-point attempts.
Expect that last number to go up in Chicago, as the Bulls need more players to launch outside shots. The team ranked dead-last in both makes and attempts from long range, and Craig will unquestionably be tasked with a role of offering himself up as more of a floor spacer than slasher.
At 6’7 and 225 pounds, Craig can play both forward spots, and will even take occasional spot minutes at center. Head coach Billy Donovan can use Craig in most lineups, whether it’s going small or going big, and that type of positional fluidity has been much-needed in the Windy City.
It isn’t just on the court where the Bulls hope Craig will become an asset. One of Chicago’s biggest hopes is that fourth-year forward Patrick Williams finally breaks out of his shell and becomes a high-end starter. Having Craig next to the youngster could be huge, as Craig will not only be able to function as a mentor to Williams, but he’ll also defend Williams in practice, forcing the 22-year-old to get creative on offense – his biggest weakness.
Somewhat humorously, signing Craig also removes arguably the best DeMar DeRozan defender in the league for Chicago. Craig has routinely played DeRozan well, and will now serve as a teammate instead of as an opponent.
Defense, as mentioned, is a major element of Craig’s game. He plays a physical brand of defense, isn’t afraid to foul when it makes sense, and switches effectively. The Bulls already had a Top 5 defense last season, and the addition of Craig – and Carter – should give Chicago a decent chance at hanging around that ranking.
Finally, Craig’s willingness to ugly up a game, by getting physical with opponents while trying to intimidate them, is an aspect the Bulls haven’t had these last few years. Craig comes in with an attitude that’s been sorely missed, and Chicago’s training staff has to hope that it rubs off on the rest of the team.
Craig has a player option after this season, so he isn’t assured to hang around Chicago for long. But he fits what they need, and the team has a clear role for him to step into. If the Bulls make the playoffs, there’s a good chance to see Craig return.
Unless noted otherwise, all stats via NBA.com, PBPStats, Cleaning the Glass or Basketball-Reference. All salary information via Spotrac. All odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook.
