Will Gary Trent Jr. Return to the Toronto Raptors next year?
One of the questions on every Raptor fan's mind is what will happen with the 23-year-old Gary Trent Jr.'s contract situation. The speculation about Trent Jr.'s future with the Raptors is a topic of conversation among the fans, and with his current contract ending after this season, it's a question that needs to be answered.
Gary signed a big three-year deal for $51.8 million at the beginning of the 2021-2022 season with an opt-out clause enabling him to leave after this season via free agency. It's widely known amongst Raptors fans that Garry Trent Jr. will decline his player option for next year, making him an unrestricted free agent this offseason.
His future with the team will largely depend on what happens with Fred VanVleet's free agency situation and how much money the Raptors are willing to spend on him. In addition to Fred, the Raptors have several others that will demand big money, such as Pascal, OG, and Scottie. Therefore, to keep this core together, sacrifices have to be made.
Nick Nurse's recent comments about Trent Jr.'s fit on the team
Raptors head coach Nick Nurse recently spoke about Trent Jr.'s fit on the team and said that he "would like [Trent Jr.] back" next season. He praised Trent Jr.'s shooting ability and said that he is a "good locker room guy." However, he also acknowledged that it may be difficult to keep him due to salary cap considerations.
Still too early to make speculations
It is still too early to say what will happen with Gary Trent Jr.'s future, but it seems likely that he will not be back with the Toronto Raptors next season. The team will have to make some tough decisions this offseason regarding their salary cap situation, and it is unlikely that they will be able to afford to keep Trent Jr.
Raptors' success this season will also play a factor in things to come. If the Raptors succeed in the playoffs and Trent Jr. plays a significant role, his value may increase, and he could be demanding more money than the Raptors are willing to pay.
