Raptors news: Surprise team eyeing Gary Trent Jr, conflicting HC reports
By Mike Luciano
The Toronto Raptors are eyeing some big changes in the offseason, and that might include Fred VanVleet or Gary Trent Jr. being discarded. The Raptors will likely try everything to bring at least one of them back, but this seems like a nearly impossible task.
Trent has a skillset that is in demand around the NBA, and he could use that to parlay himself into a deal that makes him one of the most well-compensated young guards in the league. No wonder he has such a thriving market.
According to Heavy.com’s Sean Deveney, the Orlando Magic are poised to make a run at Trent. With tons of cap space and multiple young point guards in Jalen Suggs, Markelle Fultz, and Cole Anthony to sort through, adding an off-ball gunner makes a ton of sense here.
Going to a state where it is 80 degrees every day and the lack of state tax could net him more take-home pay could appeal to a player like Trent who is trying to capitalize on his value. Losing Trent to Orlando is a threat that should be taken seriously by the rest of the Raptors’ organization.
Two free agents kept coming up around the @OrlandoMagic in talks with NBA execs. Whether the Magic are ready to go hard at free agency remains a question:
— Sean Deveney (@SeanDeveney) June 6, 2023
"What they do this summer will be real important"
More on a critical few months at @HeavyOnSports:https://t.co/hkFJUNbZSE
More Raptors news
- The Houston Rockets may not be able to pair Nick Nurse and Fred VanVleet together, but Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports is reporting that Rafael Stone is considering bringing in VanVleet in free agency. Houston will likely make one or two big signings, as Ime Udoka has the most cap space of any team in the league.
- After Doug Smith of the Toronto Star reported that Sacramento Kings assistant Jordi Fernandez would not receive a second interview with the Raptors, Marc Stein chimed in and said that Fernandez, along with Kenny Atkinson, Darko Rakajovic, and Sergio Scariolo, is one of the finalists for the head coaching job. We got a source-off!
Raptors are now the only team with an open head coaching position – but likely not for long. A final round of interviews is scheduled for this week/weekend & a decision is expected soon. Sergio Scariolo & Kings asst Jordi Fernandez are believed to be among the final candidates.
— Josh Lewenberg (@JLew1050) June 2, 2023
NBA News
- Kyrie Irving is plotting something truly outrageous with the Dallas Mavericks, as he is reportedly trying to mastermind some sort of deal that will land LeBron James and form a Big Three alongside him and Luka Doncic. With a completely barren collection of assets, it will be nearly impossible for Dallas to get enough players to entice the Lakers.
- The Mavericks may also try to lure an unusual coaching candidate back to the bench, as they are reportedly gauging Jeff Van Gundy’s interest in leaving ESPN to return to the bench. Van Gundy has a sharp basketball mind, but his best days as a coach were more than two decades ago. Will this gamble pay off for Dallas?
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