Portland Trail Blazers wing Gary Trent Jr has broken out in exciting fashion. How has he shown this season he may be the perfect wing for this team?
Gary Trent Jr was the most surprising breakout candidate this year. His play in the new year has shown that the latest crop of young talent is strong on this Portland Trail Blazers team. The second-round pick only averaged 11 minutes a night prior to the New Year.
Though he wasn’t playing a lot of minutes last year he was still hitting the magical 40 percent number from three-point range. When Kent Bazemore was traded amongst the other injuries, Trent was given a chance with more minutes, and took it with both hands.
As soon as he was given a bigger role, he showed he was much more than a shooter. His defense has come on in leaps and bounds and his offense has moved inside the three-point line.
Defensively, he has been great on the ball. He has a big six-foot-eight wingspan and quick feet. He can guard the oppositions best guard and has a good size frame already, even though he is just 21.
He is an aggressive defender and has good help instincts, his NBA career is so young but he could develop into an All-defense type stopper.
With his minutes up to almost 30 a game, he has a big chance to show his defensive credentials.
Offensively, he started out the season just spotting up from three. But as he played more minutes he showed he has a more well rounded game. He can use dribble hand-offs to hit threes, or pump fake into a dribble and pull-up from midrange.
His transition game needs work but he has the body to be a good finisher at the rim. It’s probably more a decision making thing for Trent, as to why he struggles in the open court. He is six-foot-six and has played most of his time at the three this year. He has grown his game so quickly that it wouldn’t be a surprise if he improved that aspect of his game this year.
His 41 percent from three this year gives the Blazers a true sniper on the perimeter though. That Anfernee Simons was going to be the sniper guard instead of Trent is exciting for this team. They now have competition for the sixth man position and the backup guard. Trent can’t fully run an offense but he isn’t a bad passer. He just needs to look at improving his vision and awareness.
You would have to go back to the days of Wesley Matthews, to find the last time the Blazers had a proper three and d wing. Trent has one more year on his three-year deal, but hopefully he can be brought back without breaking the bank.
Trent can potentially be a lockdown defender while shooting an élite percentage from three. Even if he only did one of these skills, he would be useful. Doing two at age 21 means he could be a game-changer for the Blazers future playoff hopes.
His work-on’s are rebounding and passing, but at 21 he has time on his side. Trent can be part of the next great Blazers team. He is also key to the playoff push after the all-star break. It’s been so enjoyable seeing him develop into a competent role player. Hopefully he can develop into a true shooter in Rip City.