Small forward Gary Trent Jr. has opted into his 2023-24 player option with the Toronto Raptors, according to NBA insider Chris Haynes of Bleacher Report and TNT.
Trent Jr. could have become an unrestricted free agent on June 30 by declining his player option. According to Haynes, the talented swingman wants to remain with the Raptors.
Trent Jr. averaged 17.4 points, 2.6 rebounds and 1.6 assists this past season for the Raptors while shooting 43.3% from the field, 36.9% from beyond the arc and 83.9% from the free-throw line. The 24-year-old made 166 3-pointers.
The Orlando Magic were going to heavily pursue Trent Jr. in free agency, sources told NBA Analysis Network. Trent Jr. has career averages of 14.4 points, 2.3 rebounds and 1.5 assists with the Portland Trail Blazers and Raptors. The Duke product turns 25 next season.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Gary Trent Jr & Toronto Raptors Updates
The Raptors missed the playoffs this past season and parted ways with head coach Nick Nurse. However, Michael Grange of Sportsnet doesn’t expect the franchise to rebuild.
“Breaking things up and selling them off for parts has never been seriously entertained in private conversations I’ve had,” Grange wrote. “Publicly the stance hasn’t been all that different. The Raptors don’t see themselves as all that inferior — if at all — to the Miami Heat, who have made the NBA Finals two of the last four seasons. The ‘lowly’ Knicks made the second round this year, and the Sixers, Bucks — and even the Celtics — have proven themselves beatable in the right circumstances.
“Why step back if you believe yourself not all that far behind?”
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Gary Trent Jr & Toronto Raptors Updates
If the Raptors don’t plan to rebuild this summer, does that mean All-Star point guard Fred VanVleet will re-sign with them in free agency and star forwards Pascal Siakam and OG Anunoby won’t be traded? Only time will tell.
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