After playing parts of four seasons with the Toronto Raptors, it appears likely that Gary Trent Jr. has played his final game with the team. According to Raptors beat writer Josh Lewenberg, Toronto offered the free agent a salary worth $15 million per year. However, Trent is looking for “something in the $25 million range” and may be too expensive for the Raptors.
The Toronto Raptors are expected to move on from Gary Trent Jr. after he declined their offer and sought $25 million annually from them, per @JLew1050
“Per a source, the Raptors were willing to bring the sharpshooter back at an annual salary of around $15 million when the… pic.twitter.com/dWq57o3zAs
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) July 9, 2024
Furthermore, Lewenberg wrote that Toronto’s offer “is no longer on the table.”
“Now, with the market drying up, one league insider suggested Trent would be ‘lucky’ to get the mid-level exception, valued at $12.5 million. A few reports have linked him to the Lakers, where it’s possible he could only earn half of that. Meanwhile, the Raptors’ offer is no longer on the table. Since they had initially discussed the framework of a deal, they used their first-round pick on Ja’Kobe Walter, a guard in Trent’s mould.”
The Raptors acquired Trent from the Portland Trail Blazers in March 2021. With Toronto, the Duke alum has played the best basketball of his career. In 224 total games played for the Raptors, Trent has averaged 16.4 points, 2.7 rebounds, 1.7 assists, and 1.4 steals per game.
Toronto Raptors Likely Moving On From 6-Year Veteran
Gary Trent Jr. Spoke About Possibly Returning to Toronto
In April, Trent opened up about his impending free agency during the 2024 NBA offseason. Although he kept the door open for a return, Trent made it clear “it’s not really my choice.”
“To be honest it’s really not my choice,” he said. “They gotta want me, so it’s like I could say I want to come here, but it doesn’t matter if they don’t want me here. So again, at the end of the day, I would love to be anywhere I’m wanted, anywhere I can help contribute towards winning, anywhere that can see me as part of their future or sees me as part of something they got going on that would be great to be a part of…”
With Lewenberg’s recent reports, it now seems even more likely that the 25-year-old will find a new home for next season.
The Last Word on Gary Trent Jr.
While we can likely rule out a return to the Raptors, it is unknown where Trent’s next destination is. Currently, the Los Angeles Lakers appear to be in the hunt for the free agent. According to Shams Charania and Jovan Buha of The Athletic, Trent and Spencer Dinwiddie are two players to monitor for the Lakers this summer.
“Gary Trent Jr. and Spencer Dinwiddie are two names to watch for if the Lakers clear enough space to use their taxpayer midlevel exception, according to league sources.”
Earlier in the summer, the Lakers failed to acquire Klay Thompson. Thompson went on to join the Dallas Mavericks after 13 years with the Golden State Warriors. It would not be a shock if they signed Trent instead to give them more wing depth.
