Torrey Craig signed a two-year deal with the Brisbane Bullets last year and only three months ago had discussed becoming a naturalised Australian and a long term piece of the Brisbane Bullets… how quickly things can change.
The coming change was evident when NBL media’s Tommy Greer interviewed Craig after his last summer league game with the Denver where he looked primed for Nuggets roster spot.
“It’s looking pretty good for me, I have to sit down with my agent and some things from Denver and it’s all looking pretty positive right now” said Craig after his last summer league game.
It has since been confirmed that Craig has agreed to a two-way deal with the Nuggets which will see him play primarily with the Sioux Falls Skyforce, the Nuggets G-League team (formerly D-League), but could potentially play up to 45 games with the Nuggets NBA squad this season.
I am confirm the #Nuggets deal with summer league standout Torrey Craig, and add that it is a two-way contract.
— Chris Dempsey (@chrisadempsey) July 16, 2017
Craig will be the become the first player to sign a two-way contract with the Nuggets. The two-way contract allows NBA rosters to grow from 15 players to 17 and allows players to make earn up to $US250,000 ($A319,200) over a 45 day period. Players will only be able to spend a maximum of 45 days on the NBA roster if they are signed to a two-way contract.
The 26-year-old averaged 11.5 points, 4.8 rebounds, 1.3 assists, and one block in 22.2 minutes per game in the Summer League team, while displaying his signature defensive instincts which earnt him the NBL Defensive Player of the Year award last season.
The Brisbane Bullets had just completed their roster but now will search for a replacement to team with the clubs other imports Stephen Holt, and Travis Trice.
“I really feel as if I displayed versatility in the summer league,” said Craig after his final summer league game.
“I feel as if I used my size to my advantage and showed I could guard multiple positions while also showing I could do some scoring, so my versatility was on full display.”
Despite being on a two-way deal, Craig will have the opportunity to earn a spot in the Nuggets rotation this season. The Nuggets interest in Craig no doubt boosted by the team’s loss of Danilo Gallinari and the fact that Wilson Chandler is the only player on the team’s current roster listed at small forward.
The position is so thin for the Nuggets at the moment there is a possibility that Craig could start the season as the backup to Wilson Chandler. The situation at the Nuggets couldn’t be better for Craig to achieve his NBA goals, arguably Craig could be the Nuggets best defensive player this season, leading to a much-increased role over time.
Dan Boyce is a die-hard Sydney Kings fan who grew up in Melbourne during the roaring 90's of Australian Basketball and spent far too much time collecting Futera NBL Basketball cards.
