NBA Rumors: A former NBA finalist wants to return to the league

Veteran forward Torrey Craig could return to the NBA once the season in Australia ends. The player, currently with the Sydney Kings, confirmed that he is in talks with NBA franchises to sign after the season, although his immediate priority is to help the team compete for the title.

Craig, with over 500 NBA games under his belt, explained that his presence in the NBL also aimed to show that he can still compete at the highest level and that he is ready to return to the league. The player himself acknowledged that his circle is already in contact with NBA teams and the possibility of coming back is on the table.

According to his words, his time in Sydney also serves the purpose of demonstrating that, despite his age, he is still capable of playing at a high level and earning a place in the American league. Before thinking about the next step, Craig wants to focus on the end of the season with the Kings, who are aiming for the championship.

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A Long NBA Career

Born on December 19, 1990, in Columbia, South Carolina, Craig was not drafted in 2014 after his college years at South Carolina Upstate, where he stood out and was named the conference player of the year in 2012. Unable to enter the NBA directly, he began his professional career in Australia and New Zealand, playing for teams like Cairns, Wellington, or Brisbane. During that time, he was the MVP of the New Zealand league and the best defender in the Australian NBL, which opened the doors to the United States for him.

His NBA debut came in 2017 with the Denver Nuggets, starting a career that also took him through the Milwaukee Bucks, Phoenix Suns, Indiana Pacers, Chicago Bulls, and Boston Celtics. Throughout his NBA career, he has averaged around 5.9 points and 3.9 rebounds per game, usually playing a defensive specialist role and being a rotation player off the bench.

In the ongoing season with the Sydney Kings, the forward is putting up numbers close to 13 points and almost six rebounds per game, maintaining a good shooting percentage and showing that he can still contribute on both ends of the court. His experience, physicality, and defensive capabilities have been crucial for the Australian team, which trusts him to compete for the championship before the player decides his next destination.

At 35 years old, Craig is in the final stage of his career but does not rule out extending it in the NBA if the right opportunity arises. Discussions are already underway, and all signs point to the coming summer being decisive in determining whether the veteran forward returns to the league where he has played over half a thousand games.