Overview
- The agreement for Gary Trent Jr. was reported on Saturday as a four-year, $64 million fully guaranteed deal to keep the guard in Milwaukee.
- The contract surprised many because Trent averaged about 8 points and shot under 39 percent last season yet will now earn roughly $16 million a year.
- Critics note the Bucks signed Trent to veteran‑minimum and low-dollar deals in 2024 and 2025, which preserved his Bird rights and let Milwaukee offer a raise above the open market value.
- Observers and podcasters compared the sequence to the 2000 Joe Smith scandal, where similar conduct led to fines, voided deals and lost draft picks, and Commissioner Adam Silver is expected to be asked about the Trent pact though the league has not opened a public probe.
- The deal reshapes Milwaukee’s roster math by adding a sizable guaranteed salary into a crowded backcourt and could affect the Bucks’ trade flexibility depending on how the contract is structured and whether other teams file formal complaints.