In the NBA, an expiring contract has more value to some teams than others. It also depends on who that contract is attached to. For some teams, an expiring contract can represent immediate cap relief.
For others, it can represent a difficult decision soon to come. The Toronto Raptors will have a lot of decisions to make soon.
Pascal Siakam has a contract extension coming up soon, and so does O.G. Anunoby. Then, there’s Gary Trent Jr. At some point, the Raptors are going to need to decide which of these players they’re going to keep.
By contrast, the Indiana Pacers just have one decision to face. Most of their players are either on long-term deals, or obvious cornerstones. Buddy Hield is the exception.
Could the Pacers flip him for Trent Jr.?
NBA Trade Proposal: Indiana Pacers Land Toronto Raptors’ Gary Trent Jr.
Toronto Raptors Receive: G/F Buddy Hield, 2024 Second-Round Pick (MIL via TOR), 2027 Second-Round Pick (UTA via TOR)
Indiana Pacers Receive: G/F Gary Trent Jr.
Sometimes, even the worst contract can become a valuable one as it’s expiring. It’s been said that in the modern market, no contract is bad if it isn’t a near-max contract. That’s true – and yet, even a bad max can become a valuable asset when it’s in its last season.
Neither of these players is on nearly max money. If you took a fan from the past and put them in a time machine, they’d be confused.
You’re telling me he makes $19 million? He’s a role player – and that’s not even a bad contract? Excuse me? You have to adjust for inflation – in the general economy, particularly the NBA’s economy.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Gary Trent Jr, Toronto Raptors, Indiana Pacers Updates
We don’t know what either of these guys will earn in their next deal, but it should be substantial. Should the Pacers be looking to pay Trent Jr.?
Why The Indiana Pacers Do The Deal
Often, players overperform in a contract year. So far, that hasn’t been the case for Trent Jr. He’s having a difficult season. Why would the Pacers take a gamble on him?
Well, when he’s playing well, he’s a much better defender than Hield. Trent Jr. is typically a solid floor spacer as well. He’s a more well-rounded player than Hield, and the Pacers could see him as part of their future.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Gary Trent Jr, Toronto Raptors, Indiana Pacers Updates
Meanwhile, if he keeps playing poorly and/or getting injured, the Pacers won’t have to break the bank for him. By all accounts, Hield is expecting a lucrative deal.
Should the Raptors put themselves in a position to offer it to him?
Why The Toronto Raptors Do The Deal
The Raptors have a lot to think about. This deal doesn’t necessarily change that. We still think it’s worth their time. For starters, they’re getting a pair of second-round picks. Even if they make this deal and let Hield walk, that’s better than simply letting Trent Jr. walk for nothing.
The Raptors need to clean up their books – they can’t afford to retain all of their soon-to-expire players. This draft capital isn’t much, but it has some value.
Moreover, the Raptors could stand to see how their team looks with a truly elite shooter like Hield. Who knows? If his market is cool enough, the Raptors could opt to keep him.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Gary Trent Jr, Toronto Raptors, Indiana Pacers Updates
Still, even if they don’t, they’ll get some data on what type of player they need. They’ll just need to offer their next shooting specialist the most reasonable contract that they can.
