Torrey Craig could have already claimed an NBA championship ring, even if the team he’s currently a member of — the Phoenix Suns — wins or the squad he was on — the Milwaukee Bucks — claims victory in the 2021 Finals.
That’s right: Craig played 18 games for the Bucks in the 2020-21 season, before the Deer dealt him to Phoenix in March. Since then, he’s played 32 games for the Suns including eight starts.
That would mean he could end up qualifying to get a ring no matter who wins.
It’s a pretty cool fact, but it brings up an important question: would he accept a ring from the Bucks if they beat the Suns? That would be kind of weird.
Congratulations Torrey Craig for winning his first championship!
No matter who wins the Finals, he will get a ring for playing for both the Suns and Bucks this season.
(Submitted by @wholecake3) pic.twitter.com/ChpLWKH8es
— StatMuse (@statmuse) July 4, 2021
Many fans and experts are pointing out that this is similar to what happened with Anderson Verajao, the forward who was traded by the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2016 and then eventually landed on the Golden State Warriors that same season. He told the media if the Cavaliers won, he wouldn’t accept it.
(2) So I don't think they AUTOMATICALLY get one — It happened twice with the same player five seasons ago. Anderson Varejao was offered a 2015–16 championship ring by the Cleveland Cavaliers even though he was traded to the Golden State Warriors in December.
— Josh Kennon (@skatefan78) July 4, 2021
Varejao eligible to receive a championship ring from time with #Cavs, but told he has no plans to accept after finishing with #Warriors.
— Sam Amico (@AmicoHoops) July 17, 2016
To me, that makes all the sense in the world. It would look kind of weird to fight for a ring, lose to a team you battle in a series and then accept it. But we’ll see! It’ll be moot if the Suns win.
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