Stunning Gary Trent Jr.’s problems make an extension with the Raptors less likely.
Gary Trent Jr. had to be low down on the list of probable problems the Toronto Raptors were facing when the 2023 season began, if at all. Trent has emerged as the explosive shooter who can hit 3-pointers from long range that many fans and pundits want the Raptors to acquire more of.
Trent has been a model citizen in Toronto since his arrival. Trent demonstrated a dedication to winning under new coach Darko Rajakovic by picking up his player option amid serious interest in him on the open market and his willingness to accept a Sixth Man role while Dennis Schroder became the starter.
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/70010791/usa_today_16965941.0.jpg)
His contract season, much like that of teammate Pascal Siakam, has gotten off to about the worst start one could imagine. Trent is averaging just 9.5 points per game while making a pathetic 32% of his shots from the field and 30% of his shots from 3-point range.
The Raptors could give Trent a new contract, which would make sense for a team that already lacks in shooting and second-unit scoring to begin with. However, Masai Ujiri has to have severe hesitations about a deal if Trent sustains this level of poor play, an extension might be hard to come by.
The Toronto Raptors need more from Gary Trent Jr. to extend him.
The Raptors have no choice but to continue leaning on Trent in these uncertain times, as he is one of the few players on this roster with a history of being an above-average shooter from 3-point range. The streaky Trent has been ice-cold this season, and the bench as a whole is suffering.
No matter how well the starters play, their efforts will routinely be wasted by a bench that isn’t NBA-quality at this point in time. Gradey Dick is a teenager with six games under his belt, new signing Jalen McDaniels has been incredibly disappointing, and Precious Achiuwa is a wild card.
If Trent doesn’t get it together, the whole bench will keep suffering.
Trent possesses active hands that can force turnovers, but that ability has been de-emphasized as Rajakovic shifts away from Nick Nurse’s risky, more chaotic defense. As a result, Trent’s value has been placed nearly exclusively on his shooting, which he is now suffering with.
It’s one thing for the Raptors not to recruit many great shooters, but it’s quite another to have one return only to decline dramatically in his contract season. Trent’s streakiness indicates that a hot streak is on the way, but his lows have played a significant role in Toronto’s 2-4 start.
