After the strong year he just had, it's still somewhat shocking that Gary Trent Jr. decided to return to the Milwaukee Bucks on a two-year deal worth $7.6 million. Just like last offseason, Trent is currently the steal of the summer across the entire NBA, and opposing front office members are well aware of that notion. Here is what an executive asked The Athletic's Fred Katz:
“Why would you spend $20 million on Quentin Grimes when you can get Gary Trent Jr. for a minimum?”
Bucks have Gary Trent Jr. signed while other free agents seek big money
Shooting guards have been getting big money this summer. Nickeil Alexander-Walker got $60 million over four years. Sam Merrill got $38 million over four years. Ty Jerome secured a three-year contract worth $27.7 million. Quentin Grimes is hunting for a $20 million-plus annual salary. With all of that taken into account, the Milwaukee Bucks are lucky to have Gary Trent Jr. at the price they do.
There's no shame in a player trying to get the money they think they deserve, but it says something when they take a pay cut to help the team with further financial flexibility. Not only did Trent do that last summer, but he repeated the process and did it again. Talk about a team player. One could argue it is one of the better bang for your buck deals in the entire NBA. What a luxury to have.
Trent was tremendous for the Milwaukee Bucks last season despite his ever-changing role in the rotation under Doc Rivers. In the NBA Playoffs, he rose to the occasion by averaging 18.8 points and 2.6 steals per game while shooting a blistering 50 percent from deep. A player capable of that type of production on the big stage is nearly impossible to come across at Trent's price.
If Gary Trent Jr. performs well with the Milwaukee Bucks next season, especially in what will likely be an increased role, he will certainly be due for another raise. This time around, the Bucks could offer him a much larger deal, and he'd be more than deserving. It's a similar situation to what Bobby Portis went through during his early days with the Bucks, where he was rewarded for his past discounts.
As teams dish out big money to shooting guards and unsigned players demand large paydays, the Milwaukee Bucks can relish the fact that they have the NBA's biggest offseason steal on the roster.
Stay tuned for more Milwaukee Bucks analysis.