Story perspectives

NBA Probes Bucks' $64M Gary Trent Jr. Deal

7/16/2026

Summary

NBA Investigates Bucks

The NBA is investigating the Milwaukee Bucks’ four-year, $64 million contract with guard Gary Trent Jr.
The deal, filed July 16 2026, guarantees $15.2 million next season and averages $16 million, $4 million under Early Bird Rights limit.
Analysts allege a handshake pact let Trent take lower salaries to free cap space before the extension.
Salary-cap expert Nate Duncan said no other explanation fits, prompting a league review under the collective-bargaining agreement.

Summary

Bucks Re-sign Trent

The Bucks re-signed forward/center Trent after he declined a $3.9 million player option.
The deal exceeds Tim Hardaway Jr.’s one-year contract, which is under half the annual amount.
Giannis Antetokounmpo played only 36 games, leaving the team reliant on role players and prompting the front office to retain Trent despite his decline.
The re-signing came as the Bucks added guards Tyler Herro, Brayden Burries, Kasparas Jakucionis, Ryan Rollins and Kevin Porter Jr. after missing the play-in tournament.

History

Historical Context

The 1995 collective-bargaining agreement created the Bird and Early-Bird exceptions, letting teams exceed the $109 million cap by up to $4 million per player. Today the Milwaukee Bucks have offered guard Gary Trent Jr. a four-year, $64 million deal—averaging $16 million, far above the original $4 million Early-Bird limit—reviving concerns that the old loophole still undermines cap integrity.

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NBA Investigates Bucks

The NBA is investigating the Milwaukee Bucks’ four-year, $64 million contract with guard Gary Trent Jr.
The deal, filed July 16 2026, guarantees $15.2 million next season and averages $16 million, $4 million under Early Bird Rights limit.
Analysts allege a handshake pact let Trent take lower salaries to free cap space before the extension.
Salary-cap expert Nate Duncan said no other explanation fits, prompting a league review under the collective-bargaining agreement.

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