The official schedule for the 2024-25 NBA Cup has been released, and the Milwaukee Bucks will face a handful of intriguing opponents.
In addition to the simple storyline of trying to win the NBA Cup, each individual game poses a unique storyline or two that should add even more intensity to the games. For fans, that will certainly make things more exciting. That said, let's break down the big headline in each contest the Bucks will play.
Toronto Raptors - Gary Trent Jr. facing his old team
In their first game of the NBA Cup, the Milwaukee Bucks will host the Toronto Raptors.
In years past, the biggest storyline from this game would have involved the 2019 playoff matchup between the Bucks and Raptors, giving Milwaukee more reason to be motivated. Yet, so many key players on that Toronto title team have left the organization over the past few seasons that it doesn't have the same feel when they play the Raptors without them.
Instead, the prominent headline in this outing will be Gary Trent Jr. returning to face his former team. After spending the last three and a half seasons with the Raptors, Trent signed with the Bucks on a one-year contract in free agency. It's unclear why Trent and Toronto ultimately split, but he should be more than motivated to put on a show against his former team.
When facing old squads, it's no secret that players typically have a chip on their shoulders, and this could be a game where Trent finds his footing fairly quickly.
Mark your calendars for November 12.