Milwaukee Bucks announced a four‑year, $64 million contract for Gary Trent Jr. on July 11, 2026, instantly raising eyebrows across the NBA. The deal, fully guaranteed, arrived during the Las Vegas Summer League and landed just after the Bucks fell 126‑106 to the Philadelphia 76ers on April 12, 2026, a loss that highlighted their recent 2‑W‑0‑D‑3‑L slide.
Why did the Bucks sign Trent for $64 million?
Analyst John Hollinger described the moment the news broke as a “conga line of phones buzzing ‘WHAT?!?’”. He noted that Trent left a struggling rotation last season, averaging just 8.1 points per game and posting his worst three‑point percentages since his rookie year. Yet the Bucks offered him the maximum early‑Bird contract, a move Hollinger called a negative value proposition for most cap departments.
What do experts say about the contract’s value?
Mike Vorkunov called the deal “curious” and hard to rationalize. He pointed out Trent’s declining DPM and the fact that guaranteed money has been scarce for veterans this offseason, as the NBPA’s executive director recently lamented. Vorkunov asked how a player who barely started 21 games could land the 10th‑largest free‑agency contract of the summer.
Sam Vecenie added that league sources had repeatedly doubted the Bucks could pull off a full‑midlevel exception for a player with Trent’s recent performance. He warned the NBA might investigate the contract for potential salary‑cap circumvention, noting no comparable case where a minimum‑salary player turned around to earn five times as much a year later.
How does this affect Milwaukee’s roster and cap?
The Bucks now carry a $64 million commitment that could limit flexibility for future signings. With Giannis Antetokounmpo still the franchise cornerstone, the added salary may force adjustments elsewhere, perhaps affecting the depth pieces that helped the team reach 32 wins last season. The contract also raises questions about the front office’s evaluation metrics, especially when the BORD$ formula rated Trent as a minimum‑value player.
What’s next for the Bucks and Trent?
All eyes will be on how Trent fits into Milwaukee’s system under head coach Mike Budenholzer. If he can improve his perimeter shooting and defensive rotations, the contract could become a bargain. Otherwise, the Bucks risk a hefty cap hit with limited on‑court return, a scenario that could haunt the franchise if the team continues its recent 2‑W‑0‑D‑3‑L run and struggles to climb the Eastern Conference ladder.
