Torrey Craig Labeled as Suns' Top Free Agent This Summer
The Phoenix Suns advanced to the second round of the postseason after a Game 5 victory sealed the series over the Los Angeles Clippers.
Now, the No. 1 seeded Denver Nuggets await Phoenix. That series begins Saturday, April 29.
However, it's never too early to be thinking about the future, and the Suns will have some decisions to make this offseason when it comes to shaping their team.
Surely some of that will rely on how Phoenix's run comes to an end, as anything less than a planned parade after what would be a franchise-first NBA title would be considered a disappointment.
When it comes to evaluating who the team should/shouldn't sign in free agency over the summer, the Suns have a few different options on who to label their top priority.
As of now, that title belongs to Torrey Craig - at least in the eyes of Bleacher Report.
Torrey Craig Labeled as Suns' Top Free Agent This Summer
"Some might argue for putting Chris Paul in this spot since his stats keep declining, and his 2023-24 salary is only partially guaranteed. Unless Phoenix gets bounced from the playoffs earlier than expected, though, that feels like a bigger change than needed," said B/R.
"Even if he isn't the scoring threat he once was, he still makes the short list of the league's top decision-makers. And it's not like Phoenix will be hurting for offense with Devin Booker and Kevin Durant on the floor.
"So, we'll leave Paul out of this, which leaves only role players in the discussion. Torrey Craig, Phoenix's fifth starter this postseason, is the most critical of the lot. He is a tireless defender and has enough size and speed to handle most assignments thrown his way. He has also never fared better from three, tallying career highs in both makes (1.3 per game) and accuracy (39.5 percent).
"He is the type of player teams want around their stars, which is why our crystal ball believes the Suns will spend what it takes to bring him back. They let him leave once—as a free agent in 2021—only to trade former first-round pick Jalen Smith and a second-rounder to bring him back a matter of months later. They should better appreciate Craig's value this time around."
After seeing Josh Okogie earn the fifth starting spot for the last few weeks of the season, it was Craig who saw his number called upon in the postseason - and he delivered.
