Daily Knicks
Fansided

3 Shooters Knicks could poach from division rivals in free agency

By Jordanna Clark

TORONTO, ON - JANUARY 22: Fred VanVleet #23 of the Toronto Raptors guards Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks during the second half of their basketball game at the Scotiabank Arena on January 22, 2023 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mark Blinch/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - JANUARY 22: Fred VanVleet #23 of the Toronto Raptors guards Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks during the second half of their basketball game at the Scotiabank Arena on January 22, 2023 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mark Blinch/Getty Images) /
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New York Knicks, Toronto Raptors, Gary Trent Jr.
Gary Trent Jr., Toronto Raptors. (Photo by Dan Hamilton/USA TODAY Sports) – New York Knicks /

2: Gary Trent Jr.

Similar to his teammate Fred VanVleet, Gary Trent Jr. has an $18.6 million player option for the 2023-24 season that he could opt out of to become an unrestricted free agent. According to Bleacher Report’s Eric Pincus, executives around the league don’t expect Trent to remain with the Raptors.

Trent is coming off a season where he averaged 17.4 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 1.6 assists in 66 games (44 starts) while shooting 43.3% from the floor and 36.9% from deep. He’s a career 36.9% three-point shooter.

Unlike VanVleet, Trent’s NBA journey started in 2018 when he was selected No. 37 overall by the Kings and was then traded to the Trail Blazers on draft night. In his second season in Portland, he averaged 8.9 points and shot 41.8% from deep in 61 games. In his third season, he averaged 15 points and shot 39.7% from three in 41 games before being traded to the Raptors ahead of the deadline.

Trent will turn 25 midway through the 2023-24 season, so he’s a younger option that the Knicks could turn to in free agency if he opts out. If New York is going to pursue either VanVleet or Trent, the latter would be the better option. Trent shouldn’t come at too high of a cost either.