NBA Investigates Bucks’ Signing
The NBA is currently investigating the circumstances surrounding the Milwaukee Bucks’ re-signing of Gary Trent Jr. The league is looking into whether the deal involved possible circumvention of salary cap rules. An NBA spokesperson confirmed that the league is “continuing to look into it.” The signing was officially announced recently, with reports indicating Trent Jr. received a four-year, $64 million deal.
This investigation follows an initial report that the NBA was examining the signing for potential salary cap violations. Concerns have been raised regarding whether there was a prior agreement to reward Trent Jr. with a substantial contract after he signed below-market deals in the previous two years.
Trent Jr.’s Recent Contract History
Trent Jr., a 6-foot-4 guard, joined the Bucks in 2024 on a veteran minimum contract. This move came after a season where he averaged 13.7 points per game and shot 39.3% from 3-point range with the Toronto Raptors. In his first season with Milwaukee (2024-25), he averaged 11.1 points per game and shot 41.6% from 3-point range. He also scored over 30 points in two of the Bucks’ five playoff games during their first-round loss in that season.
Following that strong performance, Trent Jr. returned to the Bucks in 2025 on a new deal that included a modest raise to two years and $7.5 million, with a player option for the second season. He declined a $3.9 million player option for the 2026-27 season before agreeing to his current four-year, $64 million contract.
His statistics in the 2025-26 season, however, saw a dip, with him averaging 8.1 points per game and playing 21.2 minutes per game for Milwaukee. These averages were his lowest since his rookie season in 2018-19. The new deal, despite his recent production, has drawn suspicion from league decision-makers, as it did not align with the free-agent market or his previous contracts.
Salary Cap Implications and Precedent
The Bucks utilized a provision known as Early Bird rights to re-sign Trent Jr. This provision allows teams to re-sign players to a first-year salary up to 175 percent of their previous salary or 105 percent of the league-average salary from the prior season, whichever is higher. However, Early Bird rights are only established after a player has completed two consecutive seasons with a franchise without leaving as a free agent or being waived. Trent Jr. could not have signed his current contract with Milwaukee until this summer under these rules.
The core of the investigation revolves around whether a “handshake deal” or promise was made for Trent Jr. to accept cheaper contracts in previous offseasons, thereby allowing the Bucks more flexibility to build their roster around Giannis Antetokounmpo, in exchange for a significant raise this offseason. This situation has led some around the league to question the nature of the agreement.
A notable precedent for salary cap circumvention occurred in 1999 when the Minnesota Timberwolves lost three first-round picks. This penalty was imposed after an under-the-table agreement with Joe Smith, where he signed three straight minimum contracts to establish Bird rights, with the understanding that the Timberwolves would later reward him with a substantial contract. The evidence in that case was clear, as the arrangement was put in writing. It remains uncertain if the NBA would require the same level of evidence to enforce a punishment in the current investigation involving Trent Jr.
This probe into the Bucks’ signing comes as the NBA is also investigating the Los Angeles Clippers regarding a $28 million endorsement contract between Kawhi Leonard and a sustainability services company, which has reportedly put the Clippers’ trade of Leonard to the Toronto Raptors on hold.
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Source: wral.com
