The Toronto Raptors are faced with the very real possibility of losing Gary Trent Jr. in free agency this offseason, as they might not be able to afford what promises to be a very high price tag on an ascending shooter that can fit in well on a variety of contending teams.
Trent, who averaged 17.4 points per game despite getting flipped between the starting lineup and the bench, is in the prime of his career. Even with his inconsistency, he is an above-average 3-point shooter who was one of the most productive players on a Raptors team that lacked proper offensive support.
Trent’s new contract might not reach nine figures, but he is going to come right up to the edge of that line. $20 million per year is not a crazy thought. With Fred VanVleet also poised to hit free agency and Jakob Poeltl’s alleged next contract kicking in, the Raptors might need to be more cost-effective in replacing him.
These three players can all provide a convincing (if less consistent facsimile) of Trent’s production for a much more economical price. The Raptors may be resigned to the idea of letting him go, but that doesn’t mean they need to take a lot of time with regard to finding a replacement.
3 Gary Trent Jr. replacements the Toronto Raptors must consider.
3. Donte DiVincenzo, Golden State Warriors
This won’t be the first time (nor the last) I will bang the DiVincenzo drum, but it’s hard to look at his playing style and see anything except a high-end shooter that would be a perfect fit on the Raptors’ bench. If he gets rid of his current contract with Golden State, he could come right in and produce in Toronto.
DiVincenzo averaged 9.4 points and 4.5 rebounds per game while nailing just under 40% of his 3-pointers. It goes without saying that playing as a complementary backcourt piece in Golden State doesn’t always afford him a ton of shots. Toronto, meanwhile, would give him a longer leash.
Donte DiVincenzo could thrive with the Toronto Raptors.
DiVincenzo is by no means an ideal ball-handler, but he can accomplish that task and keep the offense flowing at a satisfactory enough rate to earn a contract with Toronto that compensates him well and finally puts an end to the rotating door of backup point guard options.
DiVincenzo was narrowly scooped up by the Raptors last year in free agency, but a competitive offer from the Warriors beat them out. Masai Ujiri needs to give it one more go, as he could fill a big need if Trent leaves while also remaining extremely cost-effective.
2. Seth Curry, Brooklyn Nets
Curry’s father, Dell, was a lights-out shooter who made his mark in Toronto during his playing career. With a return to the Nets looking unlikely, considering how close they are to the luxury tax, teams like the Raptors would do well to acquire someone with his combination of experience and marksmanship.
Curry has made 43.5% of his 3-pointers in his career, which is actually a higher percentage than his older brother. Curry may turn 33 this season and is coming off a down year, but shooters like him tend to age gracefully at a more consistent rate than big men or athletic guards.
Will the Toronto Raptors get Seth Curry?
Curry likely is eyeing some extra jewelry at this stage of his career, so the only way that the Raptors can keep him away from teams with a better shot at some jewelry is to pay top dollar and let no one outbid them. With the challenges they have faced, that could be an issue.
A hypothetical Trent for Curry swap in free agency might help the Raptors in the short-term, as Curry is a slightly better shooter and doesn’t need the ball in his hands as much as GTJ did. Ujiri needs to get on the phone with his agent as soon as possible.
1. Jordan Clarkson, Utah Jazz
A player who has averaged 20.8 points per game is likely to command a sizeable contract if he decides to decline his player option. With Clarkson having a career year as a starter and the Jazz very clearly showing they are still in rebuild mode, he could look to ply his trade elsewhere.
I won’t be breaking any news to anyone when I state that Clarkson’s defense is bad. That has never been a hallmark of his game, and he is likely not going to start becoming prime Michael Jordan on that end anytime soon. Still, his creativity in the half-court is needed on this Toronto team in the worst way possible.
Can the Toronto Raptors land Jordan Clarkson?
Clarkson is admittedly only coming to town if the Raptors are willing to pay top dollar for a player that is in the same tier as Trent and lose all apprehension about potentially dipping into the luxury tax even more. It would be a bit of a philosophical change, but drastic times might call for something like this.
If Clarkson returns to Utah, he will almost assuredly be sued as trade bait at the deadline. Why not beat the Jazz to the punch by getting to pick your own destination and securing generational wealth once more by coming up north to the Raptors?