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Celtics Forward Makes Desire to Re-Sign in Free Agency Very Clear

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Sean Deveney | Last updated May 27, 2025 11:41 PM ET

Coming off a 2024 NBA championship in which they appeared set up for a dynastic run, the Celtics fell flat in the 2025 playoffs, bounced in the conference semifinals by the Knicks and setting up a dismantling of the roster, along with an extended absence for superstar forward Jayson Tatum, who ruptured his Achilles tendon and had surgery to repair it.

Tatum might not play in 2025-26, and if he does, it will only be at the tail end of the season.

The Celtics, meanwhile, must shed some players this summer to escape the noose of the NBA luxury tax aprons, which means deals that would send out anyone from Kristaps Porzingis on up to Jaylen Brown will need to come under consideration.

Given those circumstances, a bit player like forward Torrey Craig, a journeyman who signed with the Celtics in February after he was waived by the Bulls, is not high up on the list of priorities. Craig is a free agent this summer.

In his Boston tenure, he appeared in 17 games, averaging 11.8 minutes, scoring 2.7 points per game. Craig would not be missed.

But if the Celtics do shed a player or two and need cheap alternatives to fill roster spots, well, it would be a good idea to keep Craig on speed-dial. He wants to come back.

As he told the Celtics Blog site: "I love everything about Boston,” Craig said. “If it was available, then I would see myself coming back. ...

“Just being around the guys that previously won the championship – just seeing how they operate, how together they were, just being a part of the Celtic culture. That was a cool experience for me.”

With Tatum out, it is likely the Celtics will use more of Sam Hauser next year. But a veteran to provide some depth--and at age 34, Craig would not command more than the league minimum--would be useful. Of course, there are far more consequential decisions to be made in Boston first.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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