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The Toronto Raptors are on the verge of a significant roster change, as the team prepares to part ways with 25-year-old sharpshooter Gary Trent Jr.. While nothing will be official until next week, the Raptors' recent moves strongly indicate that Trent's time in Toronto is nearing its end.
Financial Constraints Force Tough Decisions
Following Thursday's trade with the Sacramento Kings and the decision to pick up Bruce Brown's team option for next season, Toronto finds itself in a financial bind. With Brown's $23 million contract now guaranteed, the Raptors have committed $158 million to their roster for next season, excluding the guaranteed contracts for their second-round picks Jonathan Mogbo and Jamal Shead. This places them over the $141 million salary cap and leaves only $13.3 million of room below the luxury tax threshold.
Trent's Development Stagnates
Acquired in 2021 in a trade for Norman Powell, Trent was expected to be a younger, more cost-efficient version of Powell with higher upside. However, three and a half years later, Trent's development appears to have plateaued. Despite being a high-end shooter, he hasn't expanded his game significantly. Under new coach Darko Rajaković, Trent saw his playing time and field goal attempts decrease this past season.
New Additions Signal a New Direction
The Raptors' recent draft pick of shooting guard Ja'Kobe Walter further suggests that the organization is ready to move on from Trent. General Manager Bobby Webster hinted at this shift in focus:
"You want to be strategic about what's tradable, what’s not tradable. We have some big contracts coming up in the future, so it’ll just have to be something that makes sense for everyone."
Potential Moves to Create Cap Space
While theoretically possible, creating salary cap space to re-sign Trent would require significant maneuvering. The Raptors could trade Brown or Chris Boucher to clear some salary, but these moves seem unlikely given recent transactions. The trade with the Kings, which added $8.4 million to the payroll, cost Sacramento two second-round picks, indicating that Toronto isn't prioritizing the cap space needed to retain Trent.
Looking Ahead: Trent's Future
As Trent heads into unrestricted free agency, a hometown discount or a cost-saving trade could theoretically keep him in Toronto. However, it appears more likely that both parties are ready to move on. For Trent, this could be an opportunity to find a team where he can better utilize his shooting skills and continue his development.
Editor: Emiliia Morozova
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