The Brisbane Bullets will be without star import and NBL defensive player of the year Torrey Craig for the coming NBL season, with the American swingman signing with NBA team the Denver Nuggets.
Craig joined the Bullets last season after spending two seasons with rivals the Cairns Taipans and was picked up by Denver after starring for the team's summer league team recently.
Denver were said to be sold on Craig's defensive versatility in offering him the summer league opportunity and Craig earned himself a two-way NBA contract after also averaging 11.5 points and 4.8 rebounds for the tournament.
Craig told NBL.com.au that playing for both Queensland teams in the National Basketball League helped him make his NBA dreams a reality.
"NBL is one of the best leagues. It's very physical and it prepares you for any level of basketball. I'd definitely encourage it," he said.
The Bullets currently have two other imports on the books for next season in former Melbourne United import Stephen Holt and another former Taipan in Travis Trice.
Trice also played in the recent NBA summer league with the Milwaukee Bucks.
Brisbane Coach Andrej Lemanis told NBL.com.au the club would now consider whether to replace Craig with a third import for the 2017/18 season which tips off in October.
"We have an impressive existing roster, so any additions would need to strategically improve our game, fill areas of improvement and be complementary to the strengths of current players," he said.
Craig was named to the NBL's all-NBL second team last season averaging 15.2 points, eight rebounds and over a steal a game, while also shooting close to 40 per cent from the three point line.
Craig becomes the second import who played in the NBL last season to join an NBA team after Adelaide 36ers import Terrance Ferguson was drafted by the Oklahoma City Thunder with pick
21 in this year's NBA draft.
The Bullets defeated Team China 89-83 on Tuesday in an exhibition match on the Gold Coast.
