Portland Trail Blazers: Complete 2018 offseason grades

Trading into the draft for Gary Trent, Jr.

For about 30 minutes after Anfernee Simons’ selection, it looked like the Blazers were done for the evening. A lot of questions were raised about how they were going to tackle free agency since they didn’t take a sharpshooter or forward with their pick. However, the front office had something up its sleeve and managed to fill out of those needs via trade.

The Blazers dealt two future second round picks and cash to the Sacramento Kings in exchange for their No. 37 selection, Gary Trent Jr. Trent spent his lone season at Duke scorching the nets from beyond the arc, knocking down 40.3 percent of his 3-pointers, the best number in the ACC.

As his name implies, Trent is the son of the former NBA big man. His father started his nine-year career with the Trail Blazers, and now his son gets to do the same.

Trent stumbled a bit in his first pro foray at Summer League. He left Las Vegas averaging 11.4 points, 3.3 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game, but he shot a rough 35.4 percent from the field and 30.0 percent from outside. However, he made all 15 of the free throws he attempted.

Portland’s acquisition Gary Trent Jr.’s really saved face after the front office gambled by taking Simons with its own draft pick. Trent’s sharpshooting ability is exactly what the team needs this season, allowing the offense to space the floor better. They just had to trade back into the draft to get it.

Grade: B