NBA Rumors: "Unanimously" Named Most Likely Raptor To Be Traded

Chatter continues around the league about whether the Toronto Raptors will blow it up this year. As they currently are on a 6-game slide, with a 13-18 mark, trade rumors are starting to fly. And with guard Gary Trent Jr. almost certainly, according to rival executives, to opt out of the final year ($18.8M) of his contract and become a free agent, he has become the most likely Raptor to be traded. 

Michael Scotto of HoopsHype reports:

According to numerous NBA executives who spoke with HoopsHype at the G League Showcase, the top Raptors trade candidate is unanimously Gary Trent Jr. 

Execs also speculated that he could easily eclipse the $20M per year mark on a new deal, and that "there’s skepticism amongst several front offices across the league that Toronto would be willing to retain Trent Jr. if he eclipses the $20 million annual range."

Trent has been in and out of the starting lineup for the Raptors this season. As a starter, he's often the third option at best behind Pascal Siakam and Fred VanVleet, and has averaged 16.4 points, 2.0 rebounds and 1.6 assists in 18 games. On the second unit, coming off the bench, he's fared a bit better, averaging 18.3 points, 2.0 rebounds and 1.7 steals in 7 games. 

Expect to hear his name a lot as we approach the Feb. 9th trade deadline, if he's not dealt before then. 

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