In an unsurprising turn, the Toronto Raptors have extended a qualifying offer to Gary Trent Jr., officially making him a restricted free agent for the coming 2021-22 season. What this means is that the Raptors have the inside track on retaining him. Yes, some other team could offer Trent Jr. a huge contract, but the Raptors could very well match it and keep him for the coming season.
Given that the Raptors traded much-beloved swingman Norman Powell for Trent Jr., who currently tracks as a younger (at 22.5 years of age), similar version of Norm, it makes sense for Toronto to want to keep and develop him in a similar (or greater) way.