NBA Rumors: 5 Teams Who Could Try To Secure Gary Trent Jr. From Raptors

The Toronto Raptors have hit a rough patch and now sit a game below .500 in 9th spot in the Eastern Conference. We reported recently on the rumors that if this situation persists up to the trade deadline, rival teams are "bracing for fireworks" from team president Masai Ujiri. 

According to Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report, the most likely to go in any trade scenario is shooting guard Gary Trent Jr. He has an opt-out after this season with a chance to become a free agent. 

"If there's one player who doesn't stick through the deadline, it's Trent," writes Pincus. "[He] would fit with any team looking to add a wing scorer who can defend."

He then goes on to list five possible suitors, the Phoenix Suns, Los Angeles Lakers, Golden State Warriors, Atlanta Hawks and Miami Heat. 

The Heat are 27th in offensive rating and could surely use Trent's scoring; we all know about the Lakers' need for shooting; and the other teams are also all looking for a jolt right now. 

Trent, 23, has had an up-and-down season as a scoring threat for Toronto this year, and he's bounced between starting and the second unit. 

Gary Trent Jr. as a starter vs. off the bench:
Starter:
16 GP | 31.6 MIN | 16.3 PTS | 40 FG% | 30 3P%

Bench:
6 GP | 28.8 MIN | 18.0 PTS | 49 FG% | 39 3P% pic.twitter.com/ubx2DTnYUZ

— Amit Mann (@Amit_Mann) December 8, 2022

His scoring is certainly needed off the bench for the Raptors, as he's averaging 18 points in that capacity while shooting 39% from downtown. His numbers decrease as a starter, likely mainly because he becomes the 3rd or 4th scoring option behind Pascal Siakam, Fred VanVleet and OG Anunoby. 

Overall, Trent's scoring is down about a point per game, to 17.2, while his 3-point shooting is significantly down, to just 33.5% (from 38.3% last season). 

Photo: Mary Holt-USA TODAY Sports