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Toronto Raptors: 3 players that will make or break the season

By Pirasanth Gunasekaram

TAMPA, FLORIDA - APRIL 05: Gary Trent Jr. #33 of the Toronto Raptors celebrates with teammates after scoring a 3-point buzzer beater to defeat the Washington Wizards 103-101 at Amalie Arena on April 05, 2021 in Tampa, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FLORIDA - APRIL 05: Gary Trent Jr. #33 of the Toronto Raptors celebrates with teammates after scoring a 3-point buzzer beater to defeat the Washington Wizards 103-101 at Amalie Arena on April 05, 2021 in Tampa, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images) /
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TAMPA, FLORIDA – APRIL 18: Gary Trent Jr. #33 of the Toronto Raptors (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FLORIDA – APRIL 18: Gary Trent Jr. #33 of the Toronto Raptors (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images) /

2. Gary Trent Jr.

If the Toronto Raptors want to make it to the postseason, one of the things that they need to do is let Gary Trent Jr. start and get buckets. He started for the Raptors in 15 out of 17 games. When Trent started, he averaged 17.8 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game.

Besides Svi Mykhailiuk and Goran Dragic, everyone else that they added in the off-season is not a particularly amazing offensive player at this juncture. Trent can shoot the ball well. His career field percentage is 41.7%  and his 3-point field goal percentage is 39.3%. His shooting expertise will be needed badly on this team.

Gary Trent Jr. must play a pivotal role on offense.

This team needs help in the offensive end from Trent. OG Anunoby is getting better as an offensive player, but still needs to improve in some facets. VanVleet struggled with efficiency last year, and Pascal Siakam will be out at least until November. Khem Birch is not a high-volume scorer, and Scottie Barnes is a tad raw on offense.

If Trent can get similar numbers like the 17 games that he played with Toronto, he will increase their chances to be in the playoffs. If he takes a step backward, the Raptors will be a lottery team again. This development would be crushing for Toronto, as his three-year deal was supposed to designate him as a long-term contributor.