Former Bulls Free Agent Forward Signs With Celtics

Boston has made its buyout market move.

Feb 8, 2024; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Chicago Bulls forward DeMar DeRozan (11) reacts with forward Torrey Craig (13), center Nikola Vucevic (9) and guard Jevon Carter (5) during a time out during the first half against the Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images / Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

The Boston Celtics have added a new 3-and-D veteran to fortify their bench.

After ditching 22-year-old reserve shooting guard Jaden Springer in a trade to the Houston Rockets to shade salary, Boston found itself with two openings on its 15-man standard roster. Now, one has been filled.

More Celtics: Boston Sends Jaden Springer to Rockets in Trade for Draft Compensation

Boston is signing veteran forward Torrey Craig, his agent Mark Bartelstein informs Shams Charania of ESPN.

Free agent forward Torrey Craig has agreed to a deal with the Boston Celtics, Mark Bartelstein of @PrioritySports told ESPN. Craig averaged 6.9 points and 2.8 rebounds in nine games for the Bulls this season. pic.twitter.com/vyLktPKLqH

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 7, 2025

Most recently, Craig played sparingly during his season-and-a-half on the Chicago Bulls, appearing in just nine contests this year.

More Celtics: Boston Could Go After Former NBA Champion on Buyout Market

Chicago announced in a press statement earlier this week that it had waived Craig and shooting guard Chris Duarte were waived by Chicago to accommodate new additions Kevin Huerter, Tre Jones and Zach Collins, all acquired in the Bulls' three-team trade that saw two-time All-Star small forward Zach LaVine get shipped out to the Sacramento Kings.

Regardless, he quickly became a coveted name on the buyout market, having also been considered by the Celtics' chief nemesis this season in the Eastern Conference standings, the 41-10 Cleveland Cavaliers, according to Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com.

In the summer of 2023, Craig was seen as a critical role player signing for Bulls team president Arturas Karnisovas, who has built a reputation around the league for making woefully misguided trades and signings during his five years at the helm for Chicago.

Craig quickly fell out of favor with head coach Billy Donovan during his first season, averaging 5.7 points on .430/.392/.750 shooting splits, 4.1 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 0.6 steals in his 53 games for the Bulls during the team's ill-fated 2023-24 season. Donovan demoted him to a non-rotation role this season. During the nine games he was pressed into service, he averaged a better 6.9 points on .489/.429/.750 shooting splits, 2.8 rebounds and 0.6 assists a night.

The journeyman 34-year-old is a solid bench 3-and-D wing, capable of defending both forward spots at 6-foot-7. He'll add some defensive toughness and 3-point floor spacing to Boston's reserve corps. For his career, he's a 35.5 percent 3-point shooter on 2.6 triple tries a night, good output for an average of 19.8 minutes per.

More Celtics:

Boston Legend Believes Jimmy Butler Drama Could Change Contracts in NBA

Former Celtics Star Makes Wild Claim Regarding Warriors' Stephen Curry

For all the latest news and notes on the reigning champs, stay tuned to Celtics On SI.