The Denver Nuggets and forward Torrey Craig have reportedly agreed to a 2-year deal according to TJ McBride of Mile High Sports. The contract will pay Craig $4 million.
Craig, a restricted free-agent, spent last season with the Nuggets on a two-way contract. The 6’6” Craig appeared in 39 games last season for Denver, averaging 4.2 points and 3.3 rebounds per game. He shot 45.5 percent from the floor with a true-shooting percentage of 53.5. Craig played an important role for Denver late in the season, averaging 18 minutes per game over a ten-game stretch. Over that period, he shot 35.5 percent from 3-point land.
Nuggets head coach Mike Malone appears to be a big fan of Torrey Craig. “That kid is an NBA player,” Malone said to Mile High Sports back on December 15th, 2017. “I believe in him and I think we are going to see more and more great things from Torrey Craig going forward.”
It appears, given the makeup of Denver’s roster, Craig will certainly have an opportunity to become a mainstay in the rotation. After the Nuggets shipped Wilson Chandler to Philadelphia and given Michael Porter Jr.’s uncertain health, the backup small forward spot is ripe for the picking.
There are not too many players who come from a two-way contract to receive a guaranteed deal. Yogi Ferrell is a more recent example, as he made a big impression for the Dallas Mavericks. Ferrell ended up signing a similar deal to Craig, a two-year contract.
