The Milwaukee Bucks have recently locked in Gary Trent Jr. with a four-year, $64 million contract extension, keeping him with the team through the 2029-2030 season. Trent’s recent performance has raised concerns among many NBA enthusiasts.
Last season, Trent appeared in only 65 games, starting in 21, averaging just 8.1 points, 1.2 assists, 1.0 rebounds, and 0.5 steals per game. His shooting percentage was a career-low 38.7%. His stats have seen a decline over four seasons, and by the end of this contract, he will be 31 years old. The deal has positioned him alongside players like Dennis Schroder and Klay Thompson in salary terms, despite their better performances.
ESPN’s Tim MacMahon criticized the contract on “The Hoop Collective,” saying, “the contract stinks.” He highlighted Trent’s negative win shares, box plus-minus, and VORP statistics. He called the deal equivalent to a full mid-level exception.
There is speculation about potential collusion between Trent and the Bucks. MacMahon suggested NBA commissioner Adam Silver investigate: “If I was Adam Silver and I’m some of those head honchos in the league office, I’d sniff around. I’d sniff around a little bit on this one.”
The NBA is involved in another significant investigation, focusing on Kawhi Leonard, the Los Angeles Clippers, and Aspiration, concerning salary cap-circumvention. Leonard’s no-show endorsement deal with Aspiration, offering $28 million, has added complexity. The trade between the Clippers and Toronto Raptors remains on hold as the inquiry continues.
Additional reports indicate Leonard may have undisclosed endorsement agreements, further complicating the situation. This ongoing investigation has highlighted the stakes and sparked interest in the Trent situation, suggesting increasing scrutiny over NBA contract dealings.