An NBA player on an expiring contract has a unique value. If a player is looking to trade them to keep them, their value is lowered by their upcoming negotiations.
On the other hand, if the team wants to save money, they won’t care how productive the player is. They want the expiring contract.
Around the league, there are a few players on expiring deals. Take Evan Fournier of the New York Knicks. This is surely his last year with the club – he’s on an expiring deal, and he’s fallen out of New York’s rotation.
What about Gary Trent Jr. of the Toronto Raptors? That’s a different situation. Trent Jr. is young enough that the Raptors may want to keep him. On the other hand, his play has declined in 2023-24.
Could the Raptors flip him for Fournier and some assets?
NBA Trade Proposal: New York Knicks Land Toronto Raptors’ Gary Trent Jr.
Toronto Raptors Receive: G/F Evan Fournier, 2024 Second-Round Pick (UTA or CLE via NYK), 2025 Second-Round Pick (BKN via NYK)
New York Knicks Receive: G/F Gary Trent Jr.
Teams are constantly asking themselves whether they should want to pay a player. Often, that question can drive transactions. In all likelihood, it was a factor in a deal between these two teams that was made only recently.
The Raptors sent OG Anunoby to the Knicks. This was the biggest NBA trade since the offseason. Folks weren’t sure if the Raptors would move Anunoby.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Gary Trent Jr, Toronto Raptors, New York Knicks Updates
Ultimately, they didn’t want to foot the bill for his next contract. On the other hand, they seem open to paying the younger Immanuel Quickley. He was part of the return that Toronto received in exchange for Anunoby.
Should the Knicks reunite him with his former teammate Trent Jr.?
Why The New York Knicks Do The Deal
Fournier has no future with the Knicks. That’s obvious. He’s been vocal about his displeasure with the team for some time now.
Unfortunately, he won’t bring in much trade value for New York. After all, he’s fallen out of their rotation. Meanwhile, having acquired Anunoby, the Knicks would surely like to use his salary spot to roster a productive player.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Gary Trent Jr, Toronto Raptors, New York Knicks Updates
Why not take a flyer on Trent Jr.? If he turns his play around in a new environment, the Knicks will get a knockdown shooter and disruptive defender. If he doesn’t, they paid the minimal cost of a pair of second-round picks to bring him on board.
Should the Raptors accept that return for Trent Jr.?
Why The Toronto Raptors Do The Deal
The last thing a team wants is for a player to walk without receiving anything in return. The Raptors learned this lesson recently. Fred VanVleet left the team in free agency this summer to join the Houston Rockets.
By contrast, the organization got something in return for Anunoby. Here, they’re doing the same for Trent Jr. He won’t net them much – this is a player having a down year on an expiring contract.
So, the Raptors may have to settle for a pair of second-round picks. Moreover, they’re only bringing back another expiring contract.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Gary Trent Jr, Toronto Raptors, New York Knicks Updates
If the Raptors like Fournier, they could likely retain him at a fraction of his current cost. Otherwise, they’re still getting a little draft capital in exchange for an expiring contract: that’s good value.
