When ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported that Trevor Ariza would not join Orlando’s Portland Trail Blazer, it was a completely understandable decision. The risks associated with putting 22 teams into this pseudo-bubble are numerous and, as we have seen in the past two weeks, there may be other players who decide to give up on restarting the NBA. But from a purely basketball standpoint, there is a hole in the forward position that the Blazers must now fill.
Enter Gary Trent Jr., the breakout spin player who has been a pleasant surprise for Portland this season. The second-year player on Duke averages 7.7 points per game with 38.8% in-depth shooting, also defending himself at a higher level than most of the team’s wings. And with Ariza out, it will be more important than ever for this team.
As noted above, Trento’s main contribution was its spacing, shooting around four threes per game and making almost 39% of them. The interesting thing is how those three get. Most of his attempts come on capture occasions and shoot just under 37% in those situations, but he was also effective as a pull-up shooter. He is doing 38% of his three in pull-ups and has shown the ability to go down on his own when necessary. The highlights show the versatility it can offer offensively when required.
Most of his three really go beyond the break. Of his 201 three this season, 141 came from the wings and the top of the three-point line. Many of these shots also come out of the dribble, which is valuable for a player who usually operates as a third or fourth option. He is still mostly a ready guy, but at least that shows he can make his shot if necessary.
This Rip City Project article highlights how important it was even as a late game option. His clutch statistics are among the best on the team, averaging 3.8 points and 47.8 percent shooting in the fourth quarter since the first of the year. In addition, it has a plus-minus of +17. Those numbers may not be entirely pop, but at least show that the offensive end can be trusted in difficult times.
As for his defense, it is something that has been an emphasis for Trento. He declared his desire to win the defender the year before, and made a lot of effort on that part of the floor. Its 6’5 “chassis and a wingspan of almost 6’9” give it a solid length to protect the 1-3, and its strength prevents it from being bullied by larger matchups.
This Insidious Swede clip shows Trent’s ribs as a defender on the ball. Houston’s Eric Gordon is essentially a three-point bowling ball, and there is a reason he is still able to fight Trent with paint in that first video. But what Trent gives up on the ground doesn’t give up the distance, forcing Gordon to fight for the shots contested in those first two clips and Russell Westbrook to move to Danuel House in the last clip.
It is usually equally effective as a team defender / off the ball. Again, Trento’s versatility helps him here because there are some bad encounters on the floor for him. Pair it with his high defensive IQ and you will have a recipe for a player who rotates well around the perimeter and knows when he can take advantage of offensive behavior.
This theft against the Timberwolves is an excellent example. He is able to stay close to Josh Okogie and use his length to overturn the ball from his hands, bringing it right into Nassir Little’s hands. Playing this type of game is exactly what Blazers need from the swingman.
Trento will be an x factor for this team. On Monday, with the signing of Jaylen Adams, Trent will play significant minutes on the wing point and we will really have the chance to see what he can do with prolonged minutes. If the past is something to go through, it should be a smooth transition.
