Gary Trent Jr. has played extremely well with the Toronto Raptors. The 22-year-old player had been with the Portland Trail Blazers since 2018. He was traded to the Raptors along with Rodney Hood for fan-favorite Norman Powell last month.
Gary Trent Jr. and His Impressive Start
Gary Trent Jr. as a Raptor
Trent Jr. has found a home with the Raptors. He was already excelling with the Trail Blazers. In the 2020-21 NBA season, he averaged 15.6 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game with the Trail Blazers. With the Raptors in the same season, he is averaging 15.9 points, 3.4 rebounds, 1.4 assists, and 1.2 steals per game as of April 27.
This is already a huge jump from the 2019-20 NBA season, where he averaged 8.9 points, 1.6 rebounds, and 1.0 assists per game. Trent Jr. is also enjoying his time with the Raptors according to Slam Online.
“For the first time in my career in the last three years, you know, I feel like I am wanted in a sense. They want me to be a part of something. They want me to help. So, I can’t even put it into words to be honest with you.”
From what he said above, it sounds like Trent Jr. will be with the Raptors organization for years to come. He has had two career-highs while in a Raptors uniform. In his fourth game with the Raptors, he had 31 points against the Oklahoma City Thunder in a 113-103 loss. He would beat that individual career-high in his ninth game with Toronto. This is where he led the Raptors with 44 points in a 135-115 win against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Bang Bang pic.twitter.com/baM5sPvjF7
— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) April 11, 2021
Overview of Gary Trent Jr.
It is important to note that Trent Jr. is only 22 years old. The 6-foot-5-inch shooting guard/small forward will only get better and has yet to reach his peak.
Gary Trent Jr Since Being Traded to The Raptors (10 Games):
• 18.4 PPG
• 58.2% TS (+1.1 rTS%)
• 41.1% 3P (7.3 3PA)
• Good guard defense
He’s only 22, the future is bright in Toronto. pic.twitter.com/y2fBjKLaE0
— YD (@MondgreenG) April 13, 2021
He is a potential NBA All-Star in this league. His points per game with the Raptors have gone down a bit in the last few games, but he is still excelling with the Raptors. Trent Jr. also has a reputation for being a good defender. This was shown in the 2020 NBA playoffs where he was asked to guard LeBron James as pointed out by Shaun Suares of Raptors Rupture.
According to Aaron Rose of All Raptors, this is what Raptors president Masai Ujiri said of Trent Jr. following the trade:
“Gary Trent is I think a [22]-year-old player with lots of upside, shooter, defender, fits our core team. That’s what we’re excited about.”
What is strange is that Trent Jr.’s father Gary Trent was also traded from Portland to Toronto. In the 1997-98 season, Trent was traded to the Raptors after playing two-and-a-half seasons with the Trail Blazers. Unfortunately, according to Sportsnet Staff, Trent Jr. is currently injured with a leg contusion. However, it does look like Trent Jr., has found a place to grow with the Raptors. He will be an important player to watch out for years to come for Toronto basketball fans.
Main Photo:
Embed from Getty Images
