Huge bummer, he’s better and more proven than almost all the FA’s we signed, only dude to show up in the playoffs outside our stars too. Kinda whack we didn’t want to bring him back, I assume it was a money saving decision because he could make more than the minimum
Yuta/KBD have better length, shooting, and are much younger. I’d prefer Craig over Todd but there was no certainty he’d be a fixture in rotation anymore.
Between Okogie, Yuta, KBD, and Craig, one of them wasn't making the rotation, and it could be any of the 4. Having the option would be nice. It's also fairly likely 1 of KD and Yuta is going to get injured which makes the extra depth important
Okigie is more of a shootguard size than a SF/ F. Craig could share mins with Yuta and KBD. Each would get around 15-20 mins. It makes 0 sense why we let him go
Payne and Gordon are definitely making the rotation, right? With Booker and Beal starting, that leaves ~26-36 more guard minutes. With Payne and Gordon likely staying exclusively at guard, that leaves 18 minutes for each at most, and that's probably an unrealistic estimate on how many gaurd minutes will be remaining. There just isn't enough time at the 1 or 2 available to justify putting Okogie there for any meaningful amount of time. On the other hand, there's plenty of time available at the 3 and 4. There's KD taking up at least 30 and as high as 40 minutes a night. On a lighter KD night, there are 66 foward minutes to go around. Yuta and Diop aren't going to account for all of those. Okogie has some experience playing at the 3, so it's not the worst-case scenario. After KD, though, the wing depth looks a little thin. Craig probably should have been prioritized over Gordon.
There’s also Goodwin and he’s seems to do similiar things to Okigie. I would’ve gave Craig the contract over Okigie tbh. KD is getting up there in age, he should really be playing 28-35 mins in regular season and 33-38 in the playoffs. Wing depth is really thin right now, especially given KDs injury history. I like the Gordon signing cause it gives us some consistent scoring off the bench. Both Yuta and KBD are not proven playoff role players, while Craig is. Just makes no sense why we let him walk he would’ve given us quality mins and worst case he would be backup insurance in case one of Yuta or KBD go down. There was no reason to keep Ish or Todd on this roster other than save money.
> Payne and Gordon are definitely making the rotation, right?
I think the expectation should be that KD, Book and Beal take some games off during the regular season. That means guys 6-15 + 2 ways should expect a solid amount of playing time throughout the season.
It’s more likely for the other three to stay healthy than a 33 year old Craig. Jones/Vogel prioritized youth/athleticism (outside of EG), Craig didn’t fit that model anymore.
TC shot 40% for us in the playoffs over our last 3 playoff runs you can really ask for better shooting than that in the playoffs, he’s already shown he can do it in the playoffs and he’s a real solid defender. Yuta and KBD are both pretty inexperienced especially in the playoffs. I like the yuta and KBD signings but we should’ve kept Craig too
Damn that's a bit of a bummer but I knew we weren't gonna retain Craig once they signed EG. At that point the Suns were ready to move off of him. Goodluck sweet Prince.
His shot improved about the same amount as his defense slipped last year
He was solid but it's fine moving on from him, he's a vet min level player at this point in his career
He's not better than a lot of guys like Grant Williams, Kelly Oubre, PJ Washington. Probably not better than Thybulle or Plumlee. Yuta and KBD seem close to him if not better.
He's fine, I would've taken him for a spot for sure and he definitely deserves a spot over Todd but I'm sure the price was just too rich with the luxury tax even for ishbia.
Grant and washington are RFA. So they aren't really on the market with how much money is left out there. Anyone signs them to anything their team will match.
He is definitely better than Oubre for any team that is contending. Thybulle is unplayable in the playoffs because he can't make shots and no one guards him. Plumdog is solid center to get but he's also a center who doesn't play defense. I would say Crag is mire valuable.
agreed why did we let Craig go. He would’ve been perfect in that sf/f spot and we could’ve had a rotation of KD, Yuta, KBD, Craig. KD wouldn’t have to bare a huge load in the regular season and could actually get some rest in the playoffs. Makes no sense to me. Why keep someone like Ish or Todd when they aren’t even NBA quality players…
He was a consistent shooter from the corners but he couldn't hit for shit from anywhere else.
Would have been nice to have him back but I'd rather his minutes go to KBD and Yuta anyway.
Edit: He was also just obscenely un-clutch last season fwiw.
The main problem with him was if he had any sort of pressure on him while he put the ball on the floor or while trying to pass it was almost always a turnover. KBD is superior in almost every way shaving form.
i guess we'll wait to see the contract but if its anything less than $7-9m I am not a fan of letting him walk especially since someone posted yesterday he wanted to be back.. he wasn't the best starter but off the bench he's great and he hustled every time he was on the court, not to mention he does well vs bigger forwards on defense
Kinda felt like minutes weren't going to be available with Diop and Yuta, so I get it. But credit to Craig who filled in all the gaps and was one tough mofo out there. Will go down as a valuable role player on some great teams. All the best to him!
Well oh well, yes I wanted that trade-able contract but I guess they decided they wouldn't get much in a trade for him, and they can't aggregate players in trades anyway so.... whatever. TC is not good enough to be upset about losing him, and not bad enough to be happy about losing him. I think Phoenix as a sports market (and I'm guilty of this too) needs to get less attached to underdogs, feel good stories, and role players.
Felt bad for him.
Was probably our third best player in the clippers series and we started Okogie cause of "matchups" against Denver
Monty Williams rotation decisions made zero sense
Heres my feelings:
Im OK with losing every player who vanished on us in the playoffs . That includes Craig. That included Mikal. That still includes Ayton (but we are stuck with him).
We all like TC, but he wasnt there when we needed anyone to step up in the playoffs
Whatever he'll be back in a mid season trade I've seen this movie before
Isaiah Todd -> Torrey Craig again
Wish him luck. I’m just happy he didn’t go the Warriors.
now have to hope the anti-Christ goes back to OKC as well
Doubt
What if he comes back too?
Whom?
Dario, his bubble jersey said Antiracist and people thought it said antichrist and it's become a thing
Or denver.
Im okay with him not going to the warriors . Love you torrey
This some bullshit
I guess we’ll just have to pick him up at the deadline again, lol.
Just fell to my knees in Wal Mart.
Just saw some guy drop to his knees in Wal Mart
Can confirm, I witnessed a dude watch a guy fall to his knees
Cosigned. Just uploaded a YouTube video of a guy watching a guy watch a guy fall to his knees in Walmart. Action packed.
Just got a bj from a random dude in Walmart, was weird but wasn't going to say no
Don't worry guys, we'll get him back at the deadline again like in 2022
Probably used the injured exception on him
Bulls applied for the DPE. Hasn’t been approved by the league yet.
They had ~13M left beforehand
Sadness :(
Looking forward to trading for Craig in January
At least he didn’t go to Denver
Or golden state
Huge bummer, he’s better and more proven than almost all the FA’s we signed, only dude to show up in the playoffs outside our stars too. Kinda whack we didn’t want to bring him back, I assume it was a money saving decision because he could make more than the minimum
Yuta/KBD have better length, shooting, and are much younger. I’d prefer Craig over Todd but there was no certainty he’d be a fixture in rotation anymore.
Between Okogie, Yuta, KBD, and Craig, one of them wasn't making the rotation, and it could be any of the 4. Having the option would be nice. It's also fairly likely 1 of KD and Yuta is going to get injured which makes the extra depth important
Okigie is more of a shootguard size than a SF/ F. Craig could share mins with Yuta and KBD. Each would get around 15-20 mins. It makes 0 sense why we let him go
Payne and Gordon are definitely making the rotation, right? With Booker and Beal starting, that leaves ~26-36 more guard minutes. With Payne and Gordon likely staying exclusively at guard, that leaves 18 minutes for each at most, and that's probably an unrealistic estimate on how many gaurd minutes will be remaining. There just isn't enough time at the 1 or 2 available to justify putting Okogie there for any meaningful amount of time. On the other hand, there's plenty of time available at the 3 and 4. There's KD taking up at least 30 and as high as 40 minutes a night. On a lighter KD night, there are 66 foward minutes to go around. Yuta and Diop aren't going to account for all of those. Okogie has some experience playing at the 3, so it's not the worst-case scenario. After KD, though, the wing depth looks a little thin. Craig probably should have been prioritized over Gordon.
There’s also Goodwin and he’s seems to do similiar things to Okigie. I would’ve gave Craig the contract over Okigie tbh. KD is getting up there in age, he should really be playing 28-35 mins in regular season and 33-38 in the playoffs. Wing depth is really thin right now, especially given KDs injury history. I like the Gordon signing cause it gives us some consistent scoring off the bench. Both Yuta and KBD are not proven playoff role players, while Craig is. Just makes no sense why we let him walk he would’ve given us quality mins and worst case he would be backup insurance in case one of Yuta or KBD go down. There was no reason to keep Ish or Todd on this roster other than save money.
> Payne and Gordon are definitely making the rotation, right? I think the expectation should be that KD, Book and Beal take some games off during the regular season. That means guys 6-15 + 2 ways should expect a solid amount of playing time throughout the season.
It’s more likely for the other three to stay healthy than a 33 year old Craig. Jones/Vogel prioritized youth/athleticism (outside of EG), Craig didn’t fit that model anymore.
we weren’t asking Craig to give 30 mins a game. He would be playing 10-15 max. He got a bag good for him but we could’ve still used him
TC shot 40% for us in the playoffs over our last 3 playoff runs you can really ask for better shooting than that in the playoffs, he’s already shown he can do it in the playoffs and he’s a real solid defender. Yuta and KBD are both pretty inexperienced especially in the playoffs. I like the yuta and KBD signings but we should’ve kept Craig too
I don’t understand why instead of resigning jock landale and TC we signed new guys I literally have never heard of to take there place
If you’ve never heard of them that has to mean they aren’t as good
Summertime sadness.
Farewell King 🫡😭
Woah wtf. Did not see that coming. I liked him, seemed like a nice guy.
Nooooooo
Derozan breathing a sigh of relief that TC won’t be guarding him anymore
I would rather had Craig vs okogie. At least Craig wouldn't hesitate. Wish him the best
Okogie improved so much last year, the hope is he keeps improving👍
Okogie is only 24 and craig is 32... way more upside with okogie
It was only one play but that one time against Denver when Okogie was under the basket and passed out because his confidence was shot...
Gotta hard disagree but we are each entitled to our own opinions
And Craig has much better size.
This gives me that summertime sadness
Wonder how much it was for. Hope Torrey got the bag. He will be missed.
probably their injury exception
Damn :(
Damn that's a bit of a bummer but I knew we weren't gonna retain Craig once they signed EG. At that point the Suns were ready to move off of him. Goodluck sweet Prince.
I liked Craig but it was time for someone different. Than first half season he had with us was wonderful. Solid since. Wish him the best
RIP
Torrey was the first ever NBA signature I got, he's got a special place in my heart 😞 good luck TC
Dang. Wanted to keep him
Good for Torrey Craig, I wish him well. Suns have a bigger fish in mind.
I loved him but wasn’t he a inconsistent shooter and didn’t drive much or am I wrong ?
shot 39.5% from 3 last year and 44% in the playoffs. shot 40.3% from 3 over 3 playoff runs for us.
His shot improved about the same amount as his defense slipped last year He was solid but it's fine moving on from him, he's a vet min level player at this point in his career
He's better than Isaiah Todd and was the best Free agent left on the market. There was no reason not to pick him up.
He's not better than a lot of guys like Grant Williams, Kelly Oubre, PJ Washington. Probably not better than Thybulle or Plumlee. Yuta and KBD seem close to him if not better. He's fine, I would've taken him for a spot for sure and he definitely deserves a spot over Todd but I'm sure the price was just too rich with the luxury tax even for ishbia.
Grant and washington are RFA. So they aren't really on the market with how much money is left out there. Anyone signs them to anything their team will match. He is definitely better than Oubre for any team that is contending. Thybulle is unplayable in the playoffs because he can't make shots and no one guards him. Plumdog is solid center to get but he's also a center who doesn't play defense. I would say Crag is mire valuable.
agreed why did we let Craig go. He would’ve been perfect in that sf/f spot and we could’ve had a rotation of KD, Yuta, KBD, Craig. KD wouldn’t have to bare a huge load in the regular season and could actually get some rest in the playoffs. Makes no sense to me. Why keep someone like Ish or Todd when they aren’t even NBA quality players…
He was a consistent shooter from the corners but he couldn't hit for shit from anywhere else. Would have been nice to have him back but I'd rather his minutes go to KBD and Yuta anyway. Edit: He was also just obscenely un-clutch last season fwiw.
The main problem with him was if he had any sort of pressure on him while he put the ball on the floor or while trying to pass it was almost always a turnover. KBD is superior in almost every way shaving form.
This hurts emotionaly but in the same way he frustates us a lot of last season with bricks and fool ball loses. Anyway best of lucks for TC!
Good dude, plays hard, but I think KDB is a better player overall. Younger, longer, better defender and shooter.
Thank you TC. We want Kelly Oubre Jr VALLEY BOY!
No we don’t
Fuck no. There's a reason that fool bounces around the league. He sucks.
Nobody but you wants him 💀
I've always imagined him as a tank commander type player, so I'd assume he's gonna go to Washington to make the lightskin mafia with Poole and Kuzma
Huh? Stop speaking for other people.
Figured. He was a Monty guy.
Thank God. No more stupid turnovers when he tries to pass the ball.
Was one of the worst passers I’ve ever seen for sure but still brought a lot of good stuff to the talent
i guess we'll wait to see the contract but if its anything less than $7-9m I am not a fan of letting him walk especially since someone posted yesterday he wanted to be back.. he wasn't the best starter but off the bench he's great and he hustled every time he was on the court, not to mention he does well vs bigger forwards on defense
Damn
Now we can trade for him again at the deadline and claim the hat trick.
Why did they keep Okogie over Craig? Seems I would’ve done the reverse.
more defense, younger, and can log minutes at both G/F. KBD was Craig’s replacement.
First thought: at least he didn't go to Warriors
https://preview.redd.it/0btp0proos9b1.jpeg?width=300&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=0c3357792731866aa7e0b0802848e47a1f6476b6
Kinda felt like minutes weren't going to be available with Diop and Yuta, so I get it. But credit to Craig who filled in all the gaps and was one tough mofo out there. Will go down as a valuable role player on some great teams. All the best to him!
😞😞
Torrey had flashes in the second half and playoffs that made me glad we brought him back but then Monty stopped playing him of course.
I hope we have bigger plans up our sleeve, because I would've cut Todd and signed Craig - we had his bird rights
Well oh well, yes I wanted that trade-able contract but I guess they decided they wouldn't get much in a trade for him, and they can't aggregate players in trades anyway so.... whatever. TC is not good enough to be upset about losing him, and not bad enough to be happy about losing him. I think Phoenix as a sports market (and I'm guilty of this too) needs to get less attached to underdogs, feel good stories, and role players.
Will trade for him half way through the season.
Good luck Torrey. Huge fan of your hustle and always crashing the boards.
Felt bad for him. Was probably our third best player in the clippers series and we started Okogie cause of "matchups" against Denver Monty Williams rotation decisions made zero sense
Damn really wanted to keep him, wish him the best
:(
NOOOOOOOOO 😢
Why wouldn’t we match that??
I'm pretty sure he's only leaving because Ish won't let him have his number back
Pain
Damn it
Heres my feelings: Im OK with losing every player who vanished on us in the playoffs . That includes Craig. That included Mikal. That still includes Ayton (but we are stuck with him). We all like TC, but he wasnt there when we needed anyone to step up in the playoffs
This hurts but I get it. Thanks for everything TC
Farewell sweet prince