The Phoenix Suns are bringing back a key piece from their 2021 Finals team, landing Torrey Craig via a trade first reported by Shams Charania of The Athletic.
Indiana receives:
- Jalen Smith
- Future second-round pick
Phoenix receives:
- Torrey Craig
The Suns have the NBA’s best record (44-10) and were looking to more depth to their defense on the perimeter in getting Craig. He played for the Suns last season after arriving via a March 2021 trade and became a key cog for Phoenix, averaging 7.2 points, 4.8 rebounds and shot 36.9% on 3-pointers. He was valuable in the team’s run to The Finals as well, shooting 40.5% on 3-pointers in the postseason while posting 4.0 ppg and 2.9 rpg.
Smith, the No. 10 pick in the 2020 draft by the Suns, is averaging 6.0 ppg and 4.8 rpg while showing improvement as a big man. He will join a rebuilding Pacers team that has minutes to spare in the frontcourt after trading away former All-Star big man Domantas Sabonis days earlier.