Swingman Gary Trent Jr. will be staying in Ontario's capital after agreeing to return to the Toronto Raptors.
Per Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, Trent has agreed to a three-year deal worth $54 million to come back to the Raptors. There is also a player option in the third year of his contract, in which he will be 25 years old and entering his peak.
Gary Trent Jr., has agreed to a three-year, $54M deal to return to the Toronto Raptors, his agent and @KlutchSports CEO Rich Paul tells ESPN. Deal includes a player option on third year.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) August 2, 2021
Gary Trent Jr. was traded to the Raptors in the deadline deal that sent Norman Powell to the Portland Trail Blazers. In the 17 games (15 starts) he played in for Toronto, he averaged 16.2 points, 3.6 rebounds and 1.3 assists while shooting 39.5 percent from the field.
Trent is expected to feature more for the Raptors in 2021-22 after his stellar showing for the team since being acquired in March. He also figures to get a bigger role now as the Canada-based franchise enters its rebuilding phase in the post-Kyle Lowry era.
Lowry was recently dealt to the Miami Heat in a sign-and-trade deal.
Aside from Trent Jr., the Raptors have plenty of young talent that should make their rebuild easier. They recently drafted Scottie Barnes with the fourth overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, while incoming fifth-year player OG Anunoby continues his development–having increased his numbers in each of the past four seasons.
As for their leadership, they look to have Fred VanVleet lead the relatively young core in a bid to return to title contention as soon as possible.
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