ESPN's Shams Charania reports that Gary Trent Jr. is officially returning to the Milwaukee Bucks on a new two-year deal. Interestingly, the deal is reportedly worth $7.5 million over two years, which gives the Bucks some needed flexibility as they aim to make further moves, cementing this as one of the biggest steals of free agency thus far.
Gary Trent Jr.'s new contract is an absolute bargain
For the past few weeks, many were predicting that Gary Trent Jr. could command somewhere between $8-$10 million in free agency. Plenty of Milwaukee Bucks fans were willing to offer up the entire midlevel exception, worth around $14 million for next season, if he wanted it. Getting Trent to sign the dotted line for $7.5 million total makes this a flat-out steal.
No other deal in the NBA yet is comparable.
Better yet, Trent signing at this figure gives the Milwaukee Bucks room to make more moves. It looks like they currently have access to the entire midlevel exception yet, which comes out to around $14 million. They could use that on one player or divide it up, giving them more chances to add pieces that fit this new-look roster.
The Bucks are rumored to have some interest in big man Guerschon Yabusele. If Trent taking this discount allows them to sign a player like him, it will make the deal all the sweeter.
Trent had a shaky year to start last season, but he showed his value in the NBA Playoffs. Across five games, the wing averaged 18.8 points and 2.6 steals while shooting 50 percent from deep on 8.8 tries per game. Though it's a small sample size, those are unbelievable numbers. The Bucks need as many playoff risers as they can get, and Trent fits the billing.
Next season, Trent should be Milwaukee's starting two guard. He started in the role last season before an abrupt move to the bench. After what he showed in the postseason, he needs to be a starting cog on this team nightly. Perhaps he and the recently re-signed Kevin Porter Jr. will be Milwaukee's new starting backcourt.
Understandably, the second year of Trent's deal is reportedly a player option. If he plays well this coming season, he can opt out and aim to seek yet another raise. Just like Bobby Portis during his early days in Milwaukee, he could gradually climb the ladder and earn new paychecks yearly if he envisions a long-term future with the Bucks.
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