A team source has confirmed that Gary Trent Jr., the Toronto Raptors winger, is choosing his player option for next season the athlete Tuesday. Here’s what you need to know:
- The option is valued at $18.6 million and is the third year of a deal he signed with Toronto after its acquisition from Portland.
- Trent averaged 17.4 points, 2.6 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game last season for Toronto.
- The 24-year-old shot 36.9 percent from 3 on 6.8 tries per match.
the athleteInstant Analysis:
Was this a surprise?
Trent’s decision was truly one of the toughest on the board when it came to player choices. He had a disappointing season last year, going back and forth from Group A to the bench. The second unit struggled to keep the Raptors in games all year, even if Trent had his moments. His 3-point percentage took a slight hit compared to 2021-22, but his biggest slip was on defense.
It’s a bit surprising that he didn’t take the opportunity to sign a new long-term contract via the open market, but he’s still eligible for an extension with the Raptors. The Raptors could offer him a starting salary extension of up to $26 million in 2024-25 this offseason. – Corinne
What does this say about the Raptors’ offseason plans?
Attention is now turning to Fred VanVleet, who declined to pick his player option for next season and will be an unrestricted free agent in July. It has long been a push to sign all three VanVleet, Trent and Jakob Poeltl on the open market while staying under the luxury tax threshold.
With the selection of Trent, the Raptors now have nine players under contract making $112.35 million (including $1 million guaranteed for Thaddeus Young in a buyout scenario). Add in minimum salaries and a first-round draft pick, and the Raptors have around $42 million or so to re-sign VanVleet or Poeltl. They’re set to earn more than that next year, so either the Raptors move on another contract to make room for them, or both players aren’t going back to Toronto. VanVleet figures she has more suitors in free agency than Poeltl. – Corinne
background story
A five-star prospect coming out of high school, Trent went on to play with coach KV Duke. He averaged 14.5 points per game while shooting 40 percent from 3-point range in his only season in Durham.
Trent ended up being a second round pick in the 2018 NBA Draft by the Kings before being traded to the Trail Blazers. After three seasons in Portland, Trent was dealt to the Raptors in a trade for Norman Powell.
required reading
(Photo: Vaughn Ridley/NBAE via Getty Images)
“Typical food guru. Problem solver. Devoted beer practitioner. Professional reader. Baconaholic.”