3 ways the Raptors could lean towards tanking this season

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - APRIL 05: Scottie Barnes #4 of the Toronto Raptors (Photo by Brian Fluharty/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - APRIL 05: Scottie Barnes #4 of the Toronto Raptors (Photo by Brian Fluharty/Getty Images) /
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Gary Trent Jr, Toronto Raptors
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN – MARCH 19: Gary Trent Jr. #33 of the Toronto Raptors looks on (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images) /

2. Looking to shop Gary Trent Jr. at the trade deadline

Trent has been one of the more underrated guards in the league over the last two years, as his scoring ability and penchant for getting hot with such ease made him someone who gave a stagnant offense some juice. Unfortunately, Trent’s career in Toronto might not last longer despite him picking up his player option.

Trent, like OG Anunoby and Pascal Siakam, could hit the open market as a free agent after the season. Even though Trent has proven his worth both in the league and as a member of the Raptors specifically, he is clearly third in the pecking order behind those two Ujiri draft picks.

Will the Toronto Raptors trade Gary Trent Jr.?

In a league that saw the Bucks trade five second-round picks for a player who didn’t even contribute to the team very much in Jae Crowder, the Raptors would be able to get multiple quality assets, including what would likely be a first-round pick, in exchange for Trent.

While getting rid of Fred VanVleet will have some ancillary benefits, Ujiri was rightfully ripped for not trading him and getting nothing in return for him. If Toronto wants to tank, he shouldn’t make the same mistake once again with Trent.