Portland Trail Blazers: 3 goals for Gary Trent Jr’s. rookie season

1. Prove he should have been a first round pick

Throughout most of the pre-draft process, Trent was being talked about as a mid-to-late first round draft pick. Come draft night, he did not hear his name called within the first 30 selections. Trent went No. 37 overall and is now out to prove that he should have been selected earlier. In an interview with the Portland media, Trent explained his thought process.

"“I believe I was a first-rounder. I’m going to have to come in and work. Prove that I’m better than a second round pick.”"

That type of fire and willingness to work should get the Blazers organization and the fanbase excited.

Trent should have plenty of opportunities during training camp, preseason and during the season to earn his spot on this team and see early minutes as a rookie. By the end of the year, Trent could be a top-nine rotation guy.

He is a hard worker, talented, a smart kid and the son of a former Blazer, Gary Trent. He understands how the NBA business works and is not going to come in and cause drama in the Portland locker room.

The Blazers are high on Trent, and even though he was a second round pick, he was given a guaranteed three-year contract. He is making more money than some first round selections. Trent has a chance to be the Jordan Bell, Semi Ojeleye or Malcolm Brogdon of this 2018 NBA Draft class as a guy who teams slept on but immediately comes in and makes a name for himself in the league.

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Last season, Zach Collins was not expected to play significant minutes, but he worked hard, improved and gave coach Terry Stotts no choice but to play him. Trent could be on a similar path this season, as he’ll fill needs this team has and could end up being one of biggest steals from the draft.