Gary Trent Jr.’s $64M Bucks Deal Under NBA Review

Four‑Year, $64 Million Deal Secured

The Milwaukee Bucks formally announced the signing of Gary Trent Jr. on Thursday, sealing a four‑year, $64 million contract. ESPN has reported the exact terms after the Bucks initially declined to disclose them. The agreement arrives despite Trent’s recent dip in production during the 2025‑26 season. This new pact replaces a $3.9 million player option that he chose not to activate for the 2026‑27 campaign.

Statistical Low Point in 2025‑26

During the 2025‑26 season, Trent averaged just 8.1 points per game and logged 21.2 minutes per contest. Those figures mark his lowest scoring and playing‑time averages since his rookie year in 2018‑19. After a solid sophomore season, his numbers have slipped in the latest campaign. The drop‑off raises questions about the value of the new contract despite the NBA’s current investigation.

Brief Return From Toronto to Milwaukee

Trent joined the Bucks in the 2024 offseason, signing a veteran‑minimum deal after a productive year with the Toronto Raptors. In 2024‑25 he posted 11.1 points per game and shot 41.6% from three‑point range for Milwaukee. He helped the Bucks advance to the playoffs, scoring over 30 points in two of their five first‑round games before a loss to the Indiana Pacers. The season provided a modest rebound after his earlier dip with Toronto.

NBA Probe: Possible Salary‑Cap Circumvention

An NBA spokesman confirmed that the league is “continuing to look into it,” following ESPN’s report that the Bucks may have circumvented the salary cap. The investigation centers on whether there was a prior understanding that Trent would receive a large payout after taking below‑market deals in the previous two seasons. Similar scrutiny is currently affecting the Los Angeles Clippers’ recent trade involving Kawhi Leonard. The outcome of this probe could set a precedent for how salary‑cap rules are interpreted in future contract structures.

Broader Context: The Clippers’ Ongoing Investigation

While the Bucks’ situation is separate, the NBA is also examining a Clippers transaction that involved a $28 million endorsement deal linked to forward Kawhi Leonard and a now‑bankrupt sustainability firm. That inquiry has placed the Leonard trade to the Toronto Raptors on hold. The parallel investigations signal the league’s heightened focus on complex contract arrangements and endorsement ties. Observers note that both cases could influence future negotiations across the league.

What This Means for the Bucks Moving Forward

If the league determines that the Bucks violated salary‑cap rules, Milwaukee could face fines, a draft pick forfeiture, or even the potential dismantling of Trent’s deal. A clearance would, however, reinforce the Bucks’ aggressive approach to roster building after a recent period of rebuilding. Fans and analysts alike will watch whether the investigation results in tangible penalties or simply serve as a cautionary note for other teams. The resolution may shape how other franchises structure long‑term deals for players coming off lower‑value years.