3 budget wing free agents Cleveland Cavaliers could sign

Budget Wing No. 2: Torrey Craig

Phoenix Suns backup veteran wing Torrey Craig will be looking for a pay raise this offseason. With the NBA’s new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), Phoenix will be close to severely limiting themselves in their free agency options.

Under the new CBA, the highest-spending teams will not have access to the taxpayer exception in order to sign new players to mid-sized contracts. These teams will only be able to sign players for whom they retain Bird Rights or veteran minimum deals.

As of now, the Suns are only roughly $3 million above the first “apron”, per Spotrac. Offering Torrey Craig a significant pay increase on his current $5 million expiring deal could bring the team even closer to the draconian second threshold. This might lead to a poor negotiation, and Craig might look to play elsewhere and receive a larger role on a team.

In Cleveland, the 39.5% three-point shooter could slide into the starting three position for the squad and serve as a looming scoring threat against every opponent. Craig was not a wildly high level scorer, only averaging 7.4 points in 24.7 minutes a game over the regular season.

In a fluid, moving offense, though, Torrey Craig opens up another option to keep defenses honest. The Cavaliers could greatly benefit from a flowing offense, passing and distributing the ball until the best open shot becomes available.

He would not likely be the primary scoring option at any time, even playing with reserve players if Caris LeVert stays on the Cavs. Thus, Craig’s value would be in floor spacing, and his scoring would primarily come through baseline cuts and three-point attempts.

On defense, Craig has a been a more than serviceable defender. At 6-foot 7, Torrey Craig has the size and quickness to keep up with most assignments he takes on. Assuming the Cavaliers can bring Craig to the Land on a friendly deal, then he might be the perfect free agent signing for the next season.