Raptors' Nurse challenges Trent 'to be a disruptor' on defensive end

Toronto Raptors head coach Nick Nurse wants to see more from Gary Trent on the defensive end.

"It's disappointing. We'd like to get him a lot more aggressive on defense this year. ... It's been a little bit of a negative," Nurse told reporters Tuesday, according to TSN's Josh Lewenberg. "He's capable of really getting after the ball and getting his hands on the ball a lot, and that's what we want him to do.

"We're gonna get him his shots and get him his points, but we want him to be a disruptor. He kinda fits us if he does that, and if he doesn't, he doesn't fit us."

Trent had a breakthrough defensive campaign in 2021-22, finishing third in the Association in steals (1.7 per game) and tenth in steal percentage (2.5%). The fifth-year player out of Duke also tallied the fifth-most deflections (238).

The 6-foot-5 wing has taken a bit of a step back this season, as his steals and deflection averages are down from a year ago. Toronto allows 2.2 fewer points per 100 possessions when Trent isn't on the floor.

Trent is set to rejoin an undermanned Raptors squad Wednesday against the Brooklyn Nets after missing the past three contests due to hip soreness. Nurse attributed some of Trent's defensive regression to the latter's health.

"He just hasn't felt all that great physically for a lot of games this year," Nurse said. "So, hopefully, he's getting there where he's going to feel good here, starting tomorrow."