Although the Raptors haven’t entirely closed the door on the possibility of bringing back free agent wing Gary Trent Jr., his return appears increasingly unlikely based on how the team’s offseason has played out, says Josh Lewenberg of TSN.ca.
As Lewenberg observes, Toronto sacrificed much of its cap flexibility by taking on salary in a trade with the Kings and exercising Bruce Brown‘s team option. The club also added a wing in the first round of the draft, selecting Ja’Kobe Walter with the 19th overall pick. The 15-man roster is now full, with little breathing room below the luxury tax line.
When the Raptors’ negotiating window with Trent opened last month, they were willing to offer him an annual salary in the neighborhood of $15MM, a source tells Lewenberg, but the swingman’s camp was seeking a raise on last year’s $18.5MM salary, possibly up to $25MM or so.
Toronto wasn’t prepared to meet that price, and it doesn’t look like there are any rival suitors who will go that high either. One league insider tells TSN that Trent would be lucky at this point to receive the full mid-level exception (worth about $12.9MM). The Raptors no longer have on offer on the table for the 25-year-old, according to Lewenberg.
Here’s more from around the Atlantic:
- The Jazz and Spurs, among other teams, had “real” interest in restricted free agent guard Immanuel Quickley before he agreed to sign a five-year, $175MM contract with the Raptors, Lewenberg writes, which is one reason why that deal came in higher than expected. Quickley’s new deal will be worth a flat $35MM across all five seasons, Lewenberg adds, so it’ll start at just under 25% of the salary cap in 2024/25 but that percentage will drop each year as the cap increases.
- Echoing previous reporting, Ian Begley of SNY.tv (Twitter video link) confirms that the Knicks have inquired on Walker Kessler, but says he’d be surprised if New York makes a deal for the third-year center, given the Jazz‘s asking price, which includes “at least” a first-round pick.
- The Knicks are among the teams that have expressed some level of interest in free agent sharpshooter Davis Bertans, sources tell Michael Scotto of HoopsHype (Twitter link).
- After the Celtics officially re-signed centers Xavier Tillman, Luke Kornet, and Neemias Queta, director of player personnel Austin Ainge said he’s “extremely grateful” to have all those players back and suggested that one or more of them could have landed more lucrative deals elsewhere. “We had some guys turn down more money other places to come back,” Ainge said, according to Brian Robb of MassLive.com. “It feels really good that guys we care about a lot to come back and go for another run.”
Damn Trent played this wrong. He should go to the Lakers.
Pistons would be a better spot.
How? The Lakers have issues, but the Pistons are the literal definition of a gongshow right now. They also already have THJ for his most likely spot in the rotation.
As a noted Lebron hater, trent is perfect to play with Lebron, it makes so much sense for him go to the Lakers
Edey held his own last night against Kessler. Kessler is no slouch on D. Edey continued his double-double streak.
Yeah he looked good. He looked big. I hope he does well ….
Trent needs a new agent. Should’ve seen this coming a mile away.
There’s always a couple of guys that get the short end of the stick at the end of free agency. Last year it was Oubre. He’ll sign with some team as a discount most likely and try to raise his value. Maybe he can go to Dallas.
Danny is always going to try and get more from Knicks. He still thinks Isiah is there.
Kessler is the kind of guy Thibs can help. He should ask to go there.
Bertrans would be a perfect fit on the Pacers.
I hope the Pacers sign him for the Knicks sake.
so it’s increasingly UNlikely not likely
Yes, that’s been fixed, thanks.
rct …….. here’s more clueless for you !!
Quickley — 35 mill a yr
Brunson — 27 mill a yr
Sure but if Brunson was a FA right now he’d be a max player.
The poster wanted Quickley over Brunson. Didn’t get why he was moved.
An old post …….
Kessler would be a nice fit for the Knicks. He may not be IH on offense, but his defense would be an upgrade. With the addition of Bridges and OG for an entire year, fewer shots to go around so a defensive center along with MR would make sense.
Any level of interest in Bertans tells me the Knicks aren’t crazy about their options for the last roster spots.
If UTH’s players were worth Ainge’s asking prices, the team would have won 80 games last season. Kessler, at his best, duplicates Mitch’s skill set with less athleticism and without the offensive rebounds. He could be very valuable if (when) Mitch gets hurt or otherwise misses games. But he won’t bring other skill sets to the table like IH did. If they’re willing to give up a FRP for a C, they can do better, including at the deadline.
Kessler is a better defender than Robinson, especially in the paint. That said, I agree with most of the rest of that. He’s just not the best fit for them at that asking price.
No, he’s not nearly the all around defender that Mitch is. He’s not even as good as Mitch was at his age. There are varying degrees of not being able to leave the paint, and Kessler pushes the out boundaries of it. He does, however, protect both paint and rim at a very high level. He’s valuable, but it’s about price. The C’s who get traded for even the most compromised FRP are more athletic than him (e.g., Gafford).
I agree Mitch could be DPY. If he commits and stays healthy. I think the lure of Kessler. Is he’s a real big with IQ. Rebounds and is young. Thibs can definitely work with that. Plus in the end they could move Mitch ……
I still wish we would have signed Wiseman.
Wiseman would’ve been worth the gamble. Low cost.
Robinson had *one season* where his defense outside the paint was better than Kessler, by the numbers, and his injuries are only going to build up. Robinson looks better because he’s more athletic, but the actual results don’t back that up at all. The difference outside the paint isn’t that large, but it’s there. But Kessler is better at the rim by a fair margin. He’s just too big in such a small area for most cutters and opposing Centers to out-physical, be it strength or speed.
Like we both said, his fit is the problem. He’s basically the same caliber defender, a worse rebounder, and similar on offense to Robinson. If you get a Center at that cost, they need to diversify somewhat. Hartenstein provided a lot of passing and much more offensive versatility than Robinson without a big defensive dropoff.
Delighted Celtics retained all three big men! Hopefully they can help us win another title! Likely factoring into their decisions to stay was the thought that with KP out & Al not playing back to backs, one or all three will get more playing time and playing well will entrench themselves here in Boston for years to come. Go Celtics!