Toronto Raptors: 3 signings that could help the Raptors in the future

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TAMPA, FLORIDA – APRIL 18: Gary Trent Jr. #33 of the Toronto Raptors (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images) /

2. SG Gary Trent Jr.

Trent, just like Khem Birch, should be one of the main priorities for this Raptors team heading into the off-season as he was the main piece coming back to Toronto in the Norman Powell trade on trade deadline day this season.

Trent, who is basically a Norman Powell clont but much younger, fits the time frame of some of the current Raptors on the team, so locking the restricted free agent up to a contract extension would be very ideal for the franchise moving forward if they want to contend still in the coming years.

Gary Trent Jr. can turn into an elite scorer.

Trent Jr. brings the ability to score from anywhere on the floor to this team, as he’s had some very big games for the club. With the Raptors this season, he posted a stat line of 16.2 points per game, 3.6 rebounds per game and 1.3 assists per game.

He also had shooting splits of 39.5% from the field, 35.5% from 3-point range, and 80% from the line throughout the 17 games as a Raptor.

Another reason why locking Trent Jr. up should be a priority is because if Kyle Lowry does indeed move on from Toronto this off-season or retire, then Fred VanVleet will more than likely take over the point guard position, which will allow Trent Jr to take over the shooting guard position while OG Anunoby is at the small forward position.

Then with the signing of Birch, they could have a potential starting five lineup of VanVleet, Trent Jr., Anunoby, Siakam and Birch for the 2021-22 season.