Bucks bringing back Gary Trent Jr. is costly

As the Milwaukee Bucks move on from Giannis Antetokounmpo, the team is investing in Gary Trent Jr.

The Bucks re-signed Trent to a four-year, $64 million contract, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania. That’s a significant deal for a guard who averaged 8.1 points, 1.2 assists, a rebound and less than a steal and block per game in 65 games played last season.

Trent had a better season the year before, averaging 11.1 points, 2.3 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 1 steal, and 0.1 blocks per game over 74 contests. He will have the fifth-biggest salary on the Bucks roster for 2025-2026.

Milwaukee’s highest-paid player is Tyler Herro, who was acquired in the Antetokounmpo trade. He averaged 20.5 points, 4.8 rebounds, 4.1 assists, 0.7 steals and 0.4 blocks last season for the Miami Heat in 33 games.

Myles Turner, the second-biggest earner, had 11.9 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 0.7 steals and 1.6 blocks for the Bucks in 71 games last year. Kyle Kuzma, the third-biggest earner, posted 13 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 0.7 steals and 0.4 blocks per game last year in 69 contests.

Just ahead of Trent for pay, Caris LeVert tallied 7.4 points, 1.9 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 0.8 steals and 0.7 blocks per game in 60 contests for the Detroit Pistons last season. LeVert averaged double figures every season before that since 2017, and Trent likewise has been a regular for double figures since 2020.

That said, the Bucks have a full backcourt, which means Milwaukee may not make the most out of the money spent on Trent. Herro and LeVert have larger deals and success with their previous teams. Kevin Porter Jr. and Ryan Rollins could also command minutes, as both played 30-plus minutes per game last season. Then there’s also guard A.J. Green, who averaged 29.1 minutes per game.

How much the Bucks will play Trent this season, despite the deal, will be interesting to watch.