Blue Devil Country

Former Duke Basketball Guard Decides to Remain in Canada

Duke basketball product Gary Trent Jr. won't become a free agent this year.
Matt Giles|
Former Duke Basketball Guard Decides to Remain in Canada
Former Duke Basketball Guard Decides to Remain in Canada

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Duke Blue Devils

Gary Trent Jr. could have opted out of the final year of his contract with the Toronto Raptors and become an unrestricted free agent this summer. Instead, the 2017-18 Duke basketball one-and-done has decided to stick around in Toronto, according to a tweet from NBA insider Chris Haynes on Tuesday afternoon.

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Haynes added that Trent, set to earn over $18 million next season and play for first-year NBA head coach Darko Rajakovic, hopes to be with the Raptors for many years. He will now work toward signing a longer-term deal.

The 6-foot-5 shooting guard, who went No. 37 overall to the Portland Trail Blazers at the 2018 NBA Draft, has been in Toronto for three years following a few seasons with the Blazers.

Last season, he played in 66 games and drew 44 starts for a Raptors squad that finished 41-41 before losing to the Chicago Bulls in the NBA Play-In Tournament.

After averaging 17.4 points, 2.6 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 1.6 steals per game, there's no doubt the career 38.4 percent 3-point shooter would have been a coveted player on the free-agency market. Earlier this month, there were reports of the Orlando Magic, not to mention several others, eyeing the savvy Duke basketball talent.

But again, Gary Trent Jr. isn't going anywhere.

As things stand, the 25-year-old is the only Blue Devil on contract with the Toronto Raptors.

Stay tuned to Blue Devil Country for daily Duke basketball news.

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Matt Giles
MATT GILES

Matt Giles is the editor and publisher of Duke Blue Devils on SI, North Carolina Tar Heels on SI, and NC State Wolfpack on SI, making him a key source for comprehensive coverage of these storied college basketball programs. Since joining SI in 2022, Matt has been dedicated to providing in-depth analysis, breaking news, and exclusive content on all three teams. He covers everything from game previews and recaps to player profiles and recruiting updates. Matt's expert knowledge of these teams has made his work a go-to resource for fans and followers of Duke, NC State, and UNC. As publisher, he shapes the editorial direction, ensuring that the most relevant and timely information reaches his audience.

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