Full Breakdown
Milwaukee Bucks Sign Gary Trent Jr. to $64 Million Deal Amid Salary-Cap Circumvention Allegations
7/14/2026, 2:28:12 AM
Core Event
On Saturday night the Milwaukee Bucks completed a four-year, $64 million fully guaranteed contract with guard Gary Trent Jr. The deal begins at $14.3 million for the 2026-27 season and rises to $17.7 million by 2029-30, with no player or team options. The contract adds a fifth guaranteed deal to Milwaukee’s roster, pushing the team toward the luxury-tax threshold.
Background & Context
Trent entered the NBA as a second-round pick for the Portland Trail Blazers, later joining the Toronto Raptors before signing a three-year, $51 million restricted-free-agent deal that expired in 2023. He then took a minimum contract with Milwaukee for the 2024-25 season and a one-year, $3 million minimum the following year, a move analysts attribute to promises of a future extension. Klutch Sports, led by Rich Paul and agent Lucas Newton, has represented Trent throughout these negotiations. The Bucks have a recent history of large contracts to role players, including Matthew Dellavedova (four years, $38.4 million) and Miles Plumlee (four years, $52 million).
Data & Statistics
- 2023-24 season: 8.1 points per game, shooting under 40 % from the field.
- Career high: 18.3 points per game.
- Current guard roster: Ryan Rollins, Kevin Porter Jr., Kasparas Jakucionis, Caris LeVert, Brayden Burries, Tyler Herro, Gary Trent Jr., A.J. Green (eight players).
- The new deal places Milwaukee roughly $11 million from the luxury-tax line, limiting future trade flexibility.
Official Statements & Responses
“The Bucks and Trent’s reps worked through negotiations since the NBA Finals ended in mid-June while also sorting through sign-and-trade possibilities from interested teams over the last week. The sides moved toward completing a new deal together Saturday.” — Rich Paul, Klutch Sports CEO
“The Bucks decided to bring back guard Gary Trent Jr. Saturday afternoon, on a four-year, $64 million deal.” — Milwaukee Bucks (official announcement)
Criticism & Opposition
NBA insiders label the contract “obvious circumvention,” suggesting a handshake agreement preceded Trent’s minimum deals to secure a later, above-cap salary. Critics note the Bucks now have “one too many guaranteed contracts for next season” and risk sacrificing minutes from younger guards. The deal is also compared unfavorably to contemporaries such as Tim Hardaway Jr. and Luke Kennard, who earned less despite higher production.
Why It Matters
The contract tests Milwaukee’s cap flexibility as the team rebuilds around Giannis Antetokounmpo and a pending trade of Damian Lillard. Overpaying role players has historically limited the Bucks’ ability to acquire or retain talent, as seen with past contracts to Dellavedova, Plumlee, and Dan Gadzuric. If Trent fails to return to his prior scoring levels, the deal could become a long-term financial burden.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
While some analysts view the extension as a clear cap-circumvention scheme, the Bucks have not publicly addressed the allegation, and no formal NBA investigation has been announced. The precise terms of any prior handshake agreement remain unverified.
Verbatim Quotes
- “The Bucks and Trent’s reps worked through negotiations since the NBA Finals ended in mid-June while also sorting through sign-and-trade possibilities from interested teams over the last week. The sides moved toward completing a new deal together Saturday.” — Rich Paul, Klutch Sports CEO
- “The Bucks decided to bring back guard Gary Trent Jr.” — Milwaukee Bucks (official announcement)
- “to a four-year, $64 million contract, fully guaranteed with no options on Saturday night.” — BehindTheBuckPass
What’s Next
Milwaukee is expected to evaluate its backcourt during the upcoming training camp, with the possibility of trading or waiving one or more guards to stay under the luxury-tax line before the February deadline. The league’s response to circumvention allegations, if any, could shape future contract negotiations for both the Bucks and other teams.
