Trent Jr. Returns to Milwaukee
Milwaukee Bucks Re-Sign Gary Trent Jr. to Four-Year, $64 Million Deal, Bolstering Wing Depth
Key Points
Trent Jayr’s 3-point shooting remains a premium asset, as he delivered 41.6% from three and averaged 11.1 PPG last season despite accounting for reduced minutes (21.2 MPG) and 1,377 total minutes.
The four-year, $64 million deal leverages Early Bird rights built up from Milwaukee, with the contract being fully guaranteed and no option years, a structure discussed by HoopsHype/HoopsRumors reporting and Bobby Marks.
Trent drew interest from multiple teams and reportedly considered sign-and-trade offers, underscoring his perceived value beyond Milwaukee and the Bucks’ willingness to preserve guard/wing depth.
The deal adds a possible personal reunion with Damian Lillard, as Trent is noted to have previously played with Lillard in Portland and would rejoin him in Milwaukee as a floor-spacer and sharpshooter.
Bleacher Report notes that the Bucks’ moves around Trent occurred as part of a broader roster reshaping, including a reported Giannis Antetokounmpo trade to the Miami Heat in a package involving Tyler Herro.
The Milwaukee Bucks have re-signed Gary Trent Jr. to a four-year, $64 million fully guaranteed contract with no option years, according to The New York Times. The deal pays Trent $15.2 million in its first season and locks him in as a key wing piece for Milwaukee.
Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul and agent Lucas Newton finalized the agreement, HoopsHype reported. Trent had declined his previous player option to enter free agency, drawing interest from multiple teams before choosing to stay in Milwaukee.
Trent's Numbers Dipped But Shooting Stayed Elite
Trent had a down year by some measures last season. He averaged just 8.1 points per game, his lowest output in years, according to The New York Times. His minutes also dropped to 21.2 per game, totaling just 1,377 minutes on the season.
But his three-point shooting held up well. Trent hit 41.6% from deep last season, well above the league average. NBA.com noted he is a career 38.7% three-point shooter. That shooting ability made him a premium target for several teams during free agency.
Early Bird Rights Helped Bucks Land the Full $64M Deal
Milwaukee used Early Bird rights to structure the deal. Early Bird rights let a team re-sign its own free agent at a higher salary than other teams can offer. That gave the Bucks a financial edge in keeping Trent.
The contract is fully guaranteed with no options on either side, NBC Sports reported. That structure gave Trent security and no risk of being cut cheaply. ClutchPoints noted the deal was first reported by NBA insider Shams Charania.
Trent Reunites With Former Portland Teammate Damian Lillard
Trent and Bucks star Damian Lillard played together on the Portland Trail Blazers. Now they will share a locker room again in Milwaukee. Trent is expected to fill a floor-spacer role, stretching defenses so Lillard can drive and create.
NBC Sports reported the Trent signing drew controversy at NBA Summer League. Multiple teams had reportedly explored sign-and-trade offers for him. The Bucks chose to keep it simple with a direct re-signing rather than a trade package.
Trent Deal Lands Amid Major Bucks Roster Overhaul
The Trent signing is just one piece of a bigger offseason shake-up in Milwaukee. ClutchPoints reported that the Bucks have been reshaping their roster around their core players. The team is trying to build better balance around Lillard.
The biggest move in Milwaukee this offseason was a reported Giannis Antetokounmpo trade to the Miami Heat in a package involving Tyler Herro, according to NBC Sports. Trent's deal adds shooting depth to a team now rebuilding its identity without its former cornerstone.
Sentiment
Mostly PositivePublishers
18
Articles
95
Reach
113
