It’s been 301 days since Sydney Kings forward Torrey Craig last played an NBA game. If all goes as planned, the NBL standout will be able to end that schneid over the next few months.
Sydney Kings’ Torrey Craig Prepping For NBA Return, Wants Ring
In an interview with Australia’s CODE Sports, Craig revealed that he and his management team have been receiving calls from NBA franchises (h/t NBL.com.au). Though he didn’t go so far as to unveil the identity of those organizations, a combination of factors lends credence to the belief that they’re a playoff contender. That being said, although the South Carolina native’s ultimate goal is to make it back stateside, Craig is “focused on the Kings first…”
“I just want to make sure that we win a championship,” he says.
His Career Has Gone Better Overseas
Of note, Craig has taken part in 80 NBA playoff games, suiting up for the Denver Nuggets, Phoenix Suns and Boston Celtics in those seasons. With the Nuggets and Suns, he made it as far as the Western Conference Finals. Though the Celtics only made it to the Eastern Conference Semifinals, they were the reigning NBA champions. Looking at Craig’s NBA career from this perspective, he’s been close to the confetti but it’s never rained on him.
Winning the NBL’s Dr. John Raschke Trophy may not be quite as gratifying as lifting the NBA’s Larry O’Brien Trophy. That’s likely to be particularly true for an American-born player who has never won a state-level or national-level championship in the United States of America. All the same, it’s been 10 years since Craig’s first and only national title. Furthermore, when Craig secured that ring, he was playing for the New Zealand NBL’s Wellington Saints. Therefore, it’s likely that Craig meant exactly what he said.
Torrey Craig with the step back 😮💨
Watch live on ESPN 📺 pic.twitter.com/2YHXTslKfg
— NBL (@NBL) March 11, 2026
He would like to be back in the NBA. However, his eyes have dilated, honing in on the task in front of him.
Frankly, with the 2015 New Zealand NBL MVP and 2017 (Australia) NBL Best Defensive Player having much more individual success abroad, Craig may already be where he should.
When Will He Sign Another NBA Contract?
After April 12, the final day of the 2025-26 NBA season, players who aren’t already on an NBA roster became ineligible for the postseason.
Right now, there’s really no point in Craig rushing to sign his name on the dotted line. If the Kings fail to reach the NBL Finals, then he would likely be more inclined to expedite the process. Yet, not only does his current (NBL) team still have a shot at a championship, the NBL Championship series has a solid chance of ending before April 12.
In the end, Craig would be able to have his cookie, and eat it too.
© Rob Gray-Imagn Images
