Reporting indicates that Gary Trent Jr. is still the most likely Raptor to be moved at the trade deadline.
HoopsHype's Michael Scotto reported before Christmas that NBA executives at the G League Showcase saw Trent as Toronto's top trade candidate. With the trade deadline fast approaching, that hasn't changed.
"Trent just turned 24 years old, and in Toronto, he’s been consistent, averaging 18 or 19 points the past two seasons," wrote Scotto. "He has an $18.8 million player option for next season. Given his age and the market, most executives I talk to think he can get around that, if not a little bit more, if he decided to opt out. They’re operating as if they think he will."
With that in mind, I came up with a few trade packages for Trent and presented them to TSN's Carlan Gay, Jordan Greer and Gilbert McGregor to get their opinion on whether or not they think both teams would agree to them.
We've done this exercise in the past without draft picks, but I've included them this time. However, don't get too caught up on the years of the picks I've chosen. That would certainly matter to the Raptors, but I'm more interested in the number of draft picks.
With that covered, onto the Fanspo-approved trade packages!
MORE: Who says no? Debating potential trade packages for Fred VanVleet
Gary Trent Jr. trade to the Lakers
The trade: Gary Trent Jr. for Patrick Beverley, Austin Reaves and a first-round pick.
What you need to know: Beverley will be an unrestricted free agent in the offseason while Reaves will be a restricted free agent. The only first-round picks the Lakers can currently trade are in 2027 and 2029.
Who says no? The Raptors say no.
Reaves is solid, but much of how good he's looked is a product of his situation and, more specifically, his impressive on-court chemistry with LeBron James. Talented as the Raptors are, they don't have anyone of James' caliber.
The draft pick is too far down the line and while Beverley is a culture-shifter, there isn't really much need for that in Toronto. Trading Trent for Reaves, a pick down the line and a few months of Beverley (or a buyout) doesn't quite cut it for a 24-year-old that scores 19 points nightly.
— Gilbert McGregor (@GMcGregor21)
Gary Trent Jr. trade to the Knicks
The trade: Gary Trent Jr. for Derrick Rose, Obi Toppin and a first-round pick.
What you need to know: Rose has a $15.6 million team option in his contract for the 2023-24 season. The No. 8 pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, Toppin will be a restricted free agent following the 2023-24 season.
Who says no? The Knicks say no.
Trent would provide a boost for one of the worst 3-point shooting teams in the league, but he isn't the type of player who could completely alter New York's short-term trajectory. And if the Knicks would want to keep him beyond this season, they would have to pay up.
The Knicks would be better served keeping the Toppin-plus-picks package in their back pocket and targeting a better player. (Now is the time for you to crack a Donovan Mitchell joke.)
— Jordan Greer (@jordangreer42)
Gary Trent Jr. trade to the Pelicans
The trade: Gary Trent Jr. and Juancho Hernangomez for Devonte' Graham, Jaxson Hayes, Kira Lewis Jr. and a first-round pick.
What you need to know: The Pelicans have slipped in the standings due to injuries to Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram, but they're one of the deepest teams in the NBA and have the assets to make a more win-now move.
Who says no? Both teams say yes. Let's make a deal.
This is intriguing for the Raptors because, in Hayes and Lewis, you get two former lottery picks that have been unable to find a role due to an inability to fit thanks to New Orleans' depth. Through four seasons, Hayes has had some opportunities to show what he's capable of being in the league, which is an athletic 6-foot-11 center that can thrive in pick-and-roll situations on offense and has the tools to be a defensive difference-maker.
With Hayes, you bet on your player development and check off the glaring need for a true center. Your backcourt depth immediately improves with Graham, who, while limited defensively, can play on or off the ball and is a career 35.6 percent 3-point shooter. As of now, the best season of Graham's career came when he shared a backcourt with Terry Rozier.
Lewis, who suffered a bad knee injury last season, is the wild card here. A change of scenery could allow Lewis, a speedy guard with plenty of potential, to show what was expected of him upon his arrival to the league.
Toronto now has another option as a backup point guard if they commit to Fred VanVleet long-term and decide to move on from Malachi Flynn. As for New Orleans, you get Trent and reunite Juancho and Willy Hernangomez. It's a family affair!
— McGregor
Gary Trent Jr. trade to the Mavericks
The trade: Gary Trent Jr. for Dwight Powell, Josh Green and a first-round pick.
What you need to know: ESPN's Tim MacMahon recently reported that Luka Doncic has "strongly indicated" that he wants the Mavericks to upgrade ahead of the trade deadline, though team owner Marc Cuban denied that report. Powell is from Toronto and will be an unrestricted free agent in the offseason.
Who says no? The Mavs say no.
While Trent would be a wanted commodity for many teams, I think Tim Hardaway Jr. and Dorian Finney-Smith already provide Dallas what he would. If Dallas is going to make a move, especially one that includes a first-round pick, it should be trying to get back someone who can consistently create their own look. Trent can't do that.
Add in the fact that the Mavericks could lose him via free agency, and it would be a pretty one-sided trade in favor of the Raptors in my opinion.
— Carlan Gay (@TheCarlanGay)
Gary Trent Jr. trade to the Grizzlies
The trade: Gary Trent Jr. and Juancho Hernangomez for Danny Green, Ziaire Williams, Jake LaRavia and a first-round pick.
What you need to know: The Grizzlies are in the mix for the best record in the Western Conference and have the assets to make a splashy move. Memphis currently ranks 23rd in 3-point percentage on the season.
Who says no? I think the Raptors say no here.
No disrespect to Green, but he wouldn't be much of a prize in Toronto. Neither would Williams or LaRavia. So it comes down to the first-round pick which would be a couple of offseasons away from meaning much.
Getting a first-round pick is great, but I think the Raptors could hold out for a better deal for Trent, even if there's potential to lose him in the offseason.
— Gay
