The National Basketball Association is investigating the Milwaukee Bucks' signing of guard Gary Trent Jr., according to reports. Trent agreed to a four-year, $64 million contract with the Bucks on Saturday, a move that has drawn scrutiny across the league.
Trent's performance last season saw a decline in minutes and efficiency, averaging his fewest per-game minutes since his rookie year and shooting just 38.7% from the field. He also fell out of the Bucks' rotation at times. Despite these struggles, the team offered him a significant raise and guaranteed salary.
The contract has led to speculation that the Bucks may have circumvented NBA salary cap regulations, particularly as they aim to maximize the remaining years of their star players, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard. Trent had previously signed a $51.8 million contract with the Toronto Raptors in 2024 and then agreed to a league-minimum $2.6 million deal with the Bucks. This was reportedly the only contract the Bucks could afford given their existing high salaries and their position deep into the luxury tax.
Contractual Scrutiny
Concerns about the deal stem from the apparent discrepancy between Trent's on-court performance and the substantial contract he received. Some analysts suggest this could indicate a "handshake deal" where a future salary was promised in exchange for a short-term pay cut, a practice explicitly banned by the NBA's collective bargaining agreement. Article XIII, Section 2 of the agreement prohibits any agreements, promises, or understandings between a player and a team concerning future contract renegotiations or new deals.
The NBA's probe follows widespread questioning of the signing by league observers. Salary cap expert Nate Duncan commented on social media that the contract "would fall under the provision that there is no possible explanation other than circumvention." ESPN's Tim MacMahon also expressed skepticism, stating the contract "smells awful."