The New York Knicks are building a championship-caliber roster, boasting two of the NBA’s premier 3-and-D wings in Mikal Bridges and OG Anunoby, with the latter arguably the league’s best at the position. After trading Immanuel Quickley and RJ Barrett to acquire Anunoby, the Knicks have solidified their defensive identity, but the Daily News suggests they could target veteran Torrey Craig to deepen their wing rotation. With Josh Hart playing as a playmaking four and young prospects like Pacome Dadiet still developing, can Craig be the missing piece to elevate New York’s title hopes?
The Knicks’ Elite 3-and-D Duo
The Knicks’ wing tandem of Mikal Bridges and OG Anunoby is a defensive juggernaut. Anunoby, acquired from Toronto in December 2023 for Quickley, Barrett, and a second-round pick, is a two-way force, averaging 14.7 points, 4.2 rebounds, 1.4 steals, and 1.0 blocks on 38.7% 3PT in 2024-25, per Basketball-Reference. His 88th percentile defensive versatility (1.4 steals) and ability to guard multiple positions make him a cornerstone, with some, like ESPN’s Zach Lowe, calling him the NBA’s top wing defender. Bridges, traded from Brooklyn in 2024 for Bojan Bogdanović and five first-round picks, added 19.6 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 1.0 steals on 37.2% 3PT, ranking in the 85th percentile for spot-up shooting, per Synergy. Together, they powered the Knicks’ 5th-ranked defense (110.9 rating) and 64-18 record in 2024-25, per NBA.com. X posts, like @KnicksFanTv, praise, “OG and Mikal are lockdown artists! Best wing duo in the league?”
Anunoby’s Value and Cost
Anunoby’s $212.5 million, five-year extension reflects his worth, despite the steep trade cost, per Spotrac. His 1.2 points per possession on catch-and-shoot plays (87th percentile) and 2.1 defensive rebounds per game complement Jalen Brunson’s playmaking (8.7 assists), per Synergy. As the Knicks’ second-best player behind Brunson (25.8 points, 40.1% 3PT), Anunoby’s two-way impact was pivotal in their Eastern Conference Finals run, averaging 16.4 points and 1.2 blocks in the 2025 playoffs, per ESPN. The loss of Quickley (18.6 points, 40.8% 3PT) and Barrett (18.2 points) stung, but Anunoby’s defensive presence and 38.7% 3PT shooting justified the trade, elevating New York’s 9th-ranked three-point percentage (37.1%), per NBA.com. X posts, like @NYKnicks, affirm, “OG was worth every penny—our defense is elite because of him.”
The Case for Torrey Craig
The Daily News proposed Torrey Craig, a 34-year-old journeyman, as a minimum-salary target to bolster wing depth, per the provided source. Craig, who played 53 games for Boston in 2024-25 (5.7 points, 3.3 rebounds, 35.8% 3PT), struggled for minutes behind Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown but brings veteran savvy, per Basketball-Reference. His career 35.5% 3PT shooting and 0.9 steals per game across stints with Denver, Phoenix, and Chicago fit the 3-and-D mold, per NBA.com. Craig’s 1.1 points per possession in spot-up situations (80th percentile) could complement Brunson’s drives, while his 2.0 defensive rebounds per game add grit, per Synergy. With Josh Hart (10.1 points, 8.3 rebounds) shifting to a playmaking four and combo guards like Jordan Clarkson and Miles McBride (14.5 points, 39.4% 3PT) not true wings, Craig could fill the third wing role, per The Athletic. X posts, like @KnicksCentral, note, “Craig’s a budget 3-and-D vet—perfect for our bench.”
Current Wing Depth and Gaps
The Knicks’ wing rotation is strong but thin. Hart’s versatility (1.2 steals, 2.1 assists) makes him a hybrid four, while Guerschon Yabusele (6.2 points, 36.1% 3PT with Philadelphia in 2024-25) played center, not wing, per ESPN. Sophomore Pacome Dadiet, a 2024 first-round pick, showed promise in summer league (8.7 points, 37.2% 3PT) but lacks defensive readiness (0.4 steals), per HoopsHype. The Knicks’ 12th-ranked bench scoring (34.8 points) and 15th-ranked three-point attempts (33.2 per game) suggest a need for a reliable wing off the bench, per NBA.com. Craig’s experience (70 playoff games) contrasts Dadiet’s inexperience, and his $2.8 million minimum salary fits New York’s $195.6 million payroll, $12.2 million below the second apron, per Spotrac. However, Craig’s limited 2024-25 role (14.9 minutes per game) and age raise concerns about his ceiling, per The Ringer. X posts, like @KnicksStats, question, “Is Craig enough, or should we develop Dadiet?”
Strategic Implications and Alternatives
Adding Craig aligns with New York’s championship push, leveraging their 4th-ranked net rating (+6.7) and Brunson’s MVP-level play, per Cleaning the Glass. A third 3-and-D wing could counter teams like Boston (Tatum, 30.3 points) or Milwaukee (Giannis Antetokounmpo, 32.2 points), per ESPN. Craig’s 0.9 blocks and 52.3% FG in the paint bolster the Knicks’ 10th-ranked paint defense (46.2 points allowed), per NBA.com. Alternatively, developing Dadiet, 20, offers long-term upside, with his 6’8” frame and 1.1 key passes per game in summer league, per NBADraft.net. The Knicks could also pursue Cody Martin (6.9 points, 36.4% 3PT with Charlotte), as suggested by the Daily News, but his $8.7 million salary strains cap flexibility, per Spotrac. Trading for a higher-profile wing like Brandon Ingram could disrupt chemistry, given Anunoby and Bridges’ fit, per Bleacher Report. X posts, like @KnicksTalk, debate, “Craig’s a safe pickup, but Dadiet could be our next star.”
The Knicks’ wing duo of Mikal Bridges and OG Anunoby forms a defensive cornerstone, but adding Torrey Craig could provide the veteran depth needed for a title run. While Craig’s experience and 3-and-D skills fit New York’s immediate goals, developing Pacome Dadiet offers a long-term vision. Can Craig push the Knicks past Eastern Conference rivals, or should they bank on youth? Knicks Nation, should New York sign Craig or focus on Dadiet’s growth?