Torrey Craig (SF, PHX) - Fantasy Basketball Waiver Wire Pickups for Week 18

February 13, 2023

Torrey Craig is worth considering as a fantasy basketball waiver wire pickup heading into Week 18 of the 2022-23 NBA season.

BALLER MOVE: Add in 14+ Team Leagues

ROSTERED IN: 3% of leagues

ANALYSIS: This is a kinda-speculative pick, but not that much when you consider we're already past the trade deadline, and barring a surprising buyout-market pick by the Suns... then Phoenix's rotation at the SF/PF position doesn't feature many warm bodies going forward, let alone entering the ASG break.

Kevin Durant is obviously going to start and play as many minutes as his body can endure once he's back. He is not back yet, though, and he will remain on the shelves until after the break and through the remainder of February most probably.

Even when he comes back, there is still a chance Torrey Craig keeps playing starter minutes and has a starter role depending on whether or not T.J. Warren gets that gig. Outside of the aforementioned three players, though, it's slim picks, so there will be playing chances and minutes open for Craig no matter what happens with Monty Williams' rotation.

Craig has played 55 games this season, starting a whole bunch of them (45) beginning in November and only missing on doing it in the odd game here and there. With Mikal Bridges and Cameron Johnson off to Brooklyn, it's been two consecutive starts for Craig at the SF position, playing 35 and 36 minutes. The outcome: 13 and 33 DKFP. Horrid, and good.

Obviously, and no matter what happens going forward, Craig is most definitely not going to turn into a monster performer overnight. He will give you a bunch of boards and some points (not even many three-point made shots) but with the absolutely unstoppable offense of KD+Booker+Paul+Ayton around, it is going to be hard for Craig not to find some open spots and chances to bulk up his numbers a bit.

Don't chase Craig's shares in any nonsensical way and know his limitations, but give him a chance if only because of the lack of warm bodies around Phoenix and the context he'll find himself at ROS.

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