2. Re-signing Gary Trent Jr.
Trent, who was brought in from the Trail Blazers in exchange for Norman Powell, averaged 16.2 points per game with Toronto in 2020-21, but those numbers look much better when you consider that Trent was dealing with injuries later in the year. Toronto found their shooting guard for the next three seasons.
Trent signed a deal that was originally reported at $54 million over three years, but it actually ended up at $51.84 million, helping him make just over $17 million. On a team without tons of tremendous guard depth in a league revolving around perimeter scoring, Trent is being trusted to fill a very important role for the next three years.
Gary Trent Jr.'s deal actually came in at $51.84M, not 54M. He can also earn an additional 250K each year in unlikely bonuses, up to a total of $52.59M.
— Blake Murphy (@BlakeMurphyODC) August 9, 2021
Scottie Barnes signed for 120% of rookie scale, as most picks do.
Gary Trent Jr. gives the Toronto Raptors shooting and youth.
While some Raptors fans might question how Trent and Powell are earning almost the same in terms of average annual value, that is a reflection of the fact that Toronto opted for a cheaper deal in the long run with a younger player in Trent.
$90 million is a lot to commit to one player, so Toronto managed to get a cheaper option without sacrificing quality.
Trent will need to make some improvements on the defensive end, and some fans have the right to be concerned about the fact he only has one year of above-average production, but Trent can finally take over games on offense in his new role with the Raptors, something Damian Lillard rarely let him do in Portland.