NBA Reviews Four-Year Deal Between Bucks and Gary Trent Jr.

The NBA is investigating a four-year, $64 million deal between Gary Trent Jr. and the Milwaukee Bucks for possible salary cap circumvention, a league spokesperson said. Trent's new contract to re-sign with the Bucks was announced and submitted Thursday morning.

The 27-year-old guard is set to earn $15.2 million in the coming season after opting out of his player option this summer. Trent averaged 8.1 points on 38.7 percent shooting in the 2025-26 season, his lowest production since his rookie year with Portland.

He had signed for the league minimum in 2024, then agreed to a two-year, $7.5 million contract before last season that paid him $3.7 million and created his early Bird rights.

Rival executives had expected Trent to return to Milwaukee for months after he played below his perceived value last season, sources said. At least one other team had interest in a sign-and-trade. The league's collective bargaining agreement prohibits prior agreements on future contracts.

The Bucks added several players this offseason, including Tyler Herro, Kasparas Jakucionis and Caris LeVert, while drafting Brayden Burries. In 2000 the NBA voided a contract and issued penalties after finding that the Minnesota Timberwolves had signed a secret written agreement with Joe Smith promising him a future extension after three minimum-salary seasons.