'Lucrative' Deal to Keep Duke Basketball Talent in Canada

Gary Trent Jr. and the Toronto Raptors are finalizing what NBA insider Chris Haynes reported late Friday night as "a lucrative multiyear extension." Next season will be the former Duke basketball one-and-done guard's fourth in Toronto and the final year on his current contract (he'll earn $18.6 million with that).

In his time with the Raptors, Trent has averaged 17.7 points, 2.8 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 1.6 steals, drawing a starting nod in over 80 percent of his outings.

Not bad for a guy who didn't hear his name until No. 37 overall at the 2018 NBA Draft and totaled only 40 points in 111 minutes of action as a rookie for the Portland Trail Blazers.

While Trent's decision to remain in Toronto rather than become a coveted free agent came as a bit of a surprise, the final numbers on the amount and length of the extension, which might not become public knowledge until next week, should be impressive. At least that is what Hoops Rumors' Rory Maher suggested:

"Trent will be extension-eligible on July 7, so a new deal would technically have to wait about a week before becoming official. The 24-year-old had long been expected to opt out of his option in order to hit the open market and sign a longer-term deal worth perhaps $18-20 million annually. It seems as though that will be coming to fruition, but instead of with a new club, the young shooting guard will be staying with Toronto."

"I don't wanna be nowhere else" - Gary Trent Jr. to @AmyAudibert February 10, 2022 #Raptors pic.twitter.com/rBN2hf0jZl
— Lindsay Dunn (@LindsayDunnTV) June 20, 2023

The Raptors, who finished 41-41 last season and fell to the Chicago Bulls in their first Play-In Tournament game, lost starting guard Fred VanVleet to the Houston Rockets via free agency earlier on Friday. One must wonder if that decision may have benefited Gary Trent Jr.'s agent in negotiating a sweeter deal.

Trent is the only Duke basketball name on tap for next season's Raptors roster.

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