3 teams who could trade for Raptors SG Gary Trent Jr. amid fire sale rumors
By Mike Luciano
The Toronto Raptors have already traded OG Anunoby and Pascal Siakam in what has been the beginning of a more earnest rebuild by Masai Ujiri, and his press conference made it seem like he is by no means done making moves. Gary Trent Jr. could easily be next up on the chopping block.
With Immanuel Quickley hitting restricted free agency this offseason and RJ Barrett under contract for a few more seasons, the odds of giving Trent the deal he deserves are getting slimmer. A trade might be possible, as Toronto is in listening mode with regard to many of their more trusted veterans.
Trent is making over 41% of his 3-pointers this season and trails only Milwaukee's Malik Beasley in 3-point percentage on wide-open triples. This could help contenders overlook the fact that his scoring has dropped noticeably since last year, as he is coming off the bench and shooting less.
The Raptors' teardown has already netted them three separate rotation players in Barrett, Quickley, and Bruce Brown to go along with three first-round draft picks. Trent could be next, especially if one of these three teams ends up meeting Toronto's asking price for him.
3 teams who could trade for Toronto Raptors SG Gary Trent Jr.
3. Oklahoma City Thunder
The Thunder need to make some win-now trades eventually. With more first-round draft picks than they know what to do with and a young core led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Chet Holmgren already in place, Sam Presti might not be above flipping one of these selections to Toronto to add the expiring Trent.
Oklahoma City's offense is leaning into all the absurdities of modern NBA basketball, as they would like to go as fast as possible and shoot as many 3-pointers as time would allow. Trent would fit right in on this team, providing more offensive pop and his usual blend of pesky perimeter defense.
The Oklahoma City Thunder could use Gary Trent Jr.
The Thunder might be at the top of the Western Conference right now, but the volatile nature of this segment of the NBA means they can't expect their current ultra-young lineup, as currently constructed, to necessarily stay hot until June. OKC could also get a look at Trent before he hits free agency.
The Raptors could not only land some draft capital in exchange for Trent, but they could land one of the many young players frozen out of a role in Oklahoma City. Perhaps former first-round picks like Ousmane Dieng and Tre Mann could be on the block if Presti is willing to get something finished.