Toronto Raptors: Stock up, stock down as winning streak concludes

Stock Up: Gary Trent Jr.

Trent was not only a poor defender during his days in Portland. He was arguably the worst defensive guard in the West. Since coming to Toronto, his buy-in on defense has been so impressive that he turned into someone who should get legitimate All-Defensive team chatter this season.

Trent not only left the Cavaliers loss leading the NBA in steals per game with 3.1 per game, but he’s also started to get into a flow on offense. Trent averaged 19.3 points per game in his last few matches, with shooting percentages of 44% from the field and 39% from 3-point range showing how quickly he can get hot.

Toronto Raptors guard Gary Trent Jr. somehow turned into an elite defender.

Trent was signed to provide shooting on a team that went into the year somewhat barren in that area, but the fact that he’s made such a shocking leap in the right direction on the defensive end has this team looking up. It’s almost impossible to drop him from the starting lineup.

Trent had some of the best offensive games of his career alongside Siakam during the Tampa stint, and with him starting the season in such torrid fashion, fans should feel confident that he should keep up this white-hot production.