The next piece of the Raptors' free agency puzzle has been put into place.
After Fred VanVleet's decision to opt out of the final year of his contract and enter free agency, Gary Trent Jr. has decided to opt into the final year of his contract to spend the upcoming season with the Raptors and potentially beyond, per Turner Sports' Chris Haynes.
Trent, who is owed $18.6 million for the upcoming season, was acquired by the Raptors at the 2021 trade deadline. This past season, the 24-year-old averaged 17.4 points over 66 games (44 starts), knocking down 2.5 3s per game at a 36.9 percent clip.
The decision is a surprise for many, as Trent was expected to move on from Toronto this offseason. Why did he elect to stay and what does the decision mean moving forward? Here is what we know about Trent's decision.
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Why Gary Trent Jr. is opting into the final year of his Raptors contract
It's simple: Gary Trent Jr. has found a home in Toronto and wants to stay there.
According to Haynes, Trent's decision to opt into his final year with the Raptors is motivated by his desire to remain with the franchise for the coming years, as "both sides will work on a longer term deal."
Gary Trent Jr. wants to remain with the Toronto Raptors and both sides will work on a longer term deal.
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) June 20, 2023
Sportsnet's Michael Grange reports that Trent can sign an extension as early as July 6. He is eligible for a four-year extension worth $113.6 million.
If there was any validity to earlier reporting, this latest development would suggest that new Raptors head coach Darko Rajakovic, who was officially introduced on Tuesday, June 13, views Trent as an important piece of the franchise moving forward.
It's not quite a one-for-one comparison, but Desmond Bane is one of the many wing talents whom Rajakovic is credited with aiding in the development of.
Given the importance of floor spacing in today's NBA, Trent's role as one of the Raptors' best 3-point shooters cannot be understated. That he's still so young bodes well for his development moving forward.
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Gary Trent Jr. contract
Trent is owed just under $18.6 million for the 2023-24 NBA season. If he does not sign a contract extension, he will become an unrestricted free agent in 2024.
| Year | Salary |
| 2023-24 | $18.6 million |
| 2024-25 | UFA |
