NBA Insider Reveals Raptors’ Gary Trent Jr. Asking Price
There’s a lot of interest in Toronto Raptors guard Gary Trent Jr. ahead of the NBA trade deadline. Without many sellers looking to negotiate, there has been a lot of speculation about the cost of acquiring key names.
As the deadline approaches, teams dealing with time-sensitive situations — such as navigating contract expiring situations — may need to lower the asking price. According to Sportsnet’s Michael Grange, the Raptors could do just that when it comes to trade talks involving Trent.
“Meanwhile, league sources peg Trent Jr.’s likely trade value at one protected first-rounder or two good second-round picks, along with a corresponding salary,” Grange wrote. “From the Raptors’ perspective, the likelihood of improving your team by moving from a 24-year-old player who has proven himself as a quality perimeter shooter is relatively low. If Trent Jr. was determined to leave, or if the Raptors didn’t believe they could re-sign him in free agency, the story might be different.
There are plenty of teams in contention that could benefit from Trent’s scoring ability. This season, the 24-year-old is averaging 18.6 points, 2.5 rebounds and 1.5 assists while shooting 44.4% from the field and 36.7% from three.
NBA NEWS AND TRADE RUMOR: Updates from Gary Trent Jr and the Toronto Raptors
After acquiring him, a team would likely sign him for a long-term extension. It is believed that Trent will decline his player option for 2023-24. Jake Fischer of Yahoo! Sports reports that the former second-round pick could ask for more than $25 million a year for his next contract.
With a 23-29 record, the Raptors currently sit 12th in the Eastern Conference. Even though they’ve won three of their last five games, such stretches might not be enough to get them into the playoffs. It didn’t seem quite feasible at times, even if they qualify for a play-in tournament. After finishing as the fifth seed in the East last season and playing against the Philadelphia 76ers in the playoffs, this season has been very disappointing.
NBA NEWS AND TRADE RUMOR: Updates from Gary Trent Jr and the Toronto Raptors
In the meantime, it will only be a matter of time before we know if Trent will be one of the players moved by the deadline.