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Toronto Raptors: Grading the team’s signings in NBA free agency

By Matthew Hallett

Toronto Raptors. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports
Toronto Raptors. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports /
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Toronto Raptors
Toronto Raptors. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports /

Toronto Raptors NBA free agency signing No. 3: Gary Trent Jr.

The Raptors traded Norman Powell to the Portland Trail Blazers, receiving Gary Trent Jr. in return. This was a really good move for the Raptors, for while Norman Powell was good, Trent was a better fit for the Raptors system.

He came into the team and had several tremendous games. He had a 44 point game in a massive win against the Cleveland Cavaliers. He also had a 31 point game in a surprising loss to the OKC Thunder. Trent also had four other games where he scored over 20 points which is not a bad strike rate in just 17 games.

Trent is also a very good on-ball defender and this is crucial for the Raptors as they gave up 111.7 points per game to their opposition. This was only good enough for 15th in the league. If they want to make their way back up the standings in the Eastern Conference they need to improve in this area.

The Raptors signed Trent to a three-year, $54 million deal which again feels right. He started to really break out of his shell in the first half of the season for the Blazers and should be a solid contributor to a Raptors team desperate to get back to the top.

Grade: A

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