The Boston Celtics underwent a seismic roster overhaul this summer, wielding a financial machete to slash payroll and reshape their future. With Jayson Tatum sidelined by a torn Achilles, the 2025-26 season looms as a gap year, prompting the team to prioritize long-term flexibility over immediate contention. In this whirlwind of change, the Celtics quietly parted ways with veteran swingman Torrey Craig, a move that signals a clear pivot toward youth and upside.
The Celtics’ primary mission this offseason was clear: get under the luxury tax apron. After years of big spending, the front office made tough calls, trading away cornerstone pieces like Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis in cost-cutting deals. The team also declined to re-sign key free agents, including their No. 2 and No. 3 centers from last season. Luke Kornet inked a new deal with the San Antonio Spurs, a contract Boston could have matched but chose not to. Similarly, Al Horford appears destined for the Golden State Warriors, another veteran the Celtics opted not to retain in their quest for financial breathing room.
Amid these high-profile departures, the decision to move on from Torrey Craig has flown under the radar. Yet, it’s a choice that speaks volumes about Boston’s new direction.
At 34 years old (and eligible to run for President after his December birthday), Craig no longer aligns with the Celtics’ vision. The team is now betting on younger players who can grow into contributors by the 2027-28 season, when Boston hopes to reload for another title run. Bringing back Craig, a low-upside veteran, simply didn’t fit the blueprint.
Last season was a tough one for the 6’7” forward. Known for his 3-and-D prowess, Craig had been a reliable shooter, hitting at least 39 percent from deep in three straight seasons with the Phoenix Suns and Chicago Bulls. But in Boston, his offensive game unraveled. After joining midseason, he shot a dismal 29 percent from three and 35.6 percent overall. Defenses sagged off him, rendering him a low-usage, low-efficiency liability. While his positional defense remained stout—capable of guarding wings and bigs alike—his inability to punish opponents offensively made him a non-factor.
This was a stark departure from Craig’s established reputation. Throughout his eight-year NBA career, he thrived as a hustle-driven role player, crashing the glass, spacing the floor, and taking on tough defensive assignments. His versatility allowed him to toggle between guarding shifty guards and bruising forwards, all while keeping defenses honest with his shooting. But in Boston, that spark was missing.
Was Craig’s lackluster stint in Boston just a cold stretch, or a sign of decline? The answer may lean toward the latter. Despite his proven track record, Craig remains unsigned as the new season approaches, suggesting teams across the league view him as past his prime. His best shot at extending his NBA career may come later, perhaps as a late-season call-up to a playoff contender desperate for defensive grit. If he can rediscover his shooting touch in such a role, he might carve out a few more years in the league.
But that revival won’t happen in Boston. The Celtics, whether they sneak into the playoffs or embrace a full rebuild, have closed the door on Craig’s return. His time in green has come to an end, a quiet but telling casualty of a franchise reimagining its future.
As the Celtics chart a new course, the departure of players like Craig underscores their commitment to a bold, youth-driven reset. While the 2025-26 season may lack the star power of years past, it offers a chance to nurture the next generation of talent. For Torrey Craig, the road ahead is uncertain, but his days of battling in the paint and locking down opponents in a Celtics jersey are officially over.