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Gary Trent Jr.’s return to Milwaukee—sealed with a four-year, $64 million contract—did little to quiet questions about the deal after the Bucks’ preseason opener. In limited minutes he produced a modest stat line that left long-standing doubts about his fit intact.
Preseason output matched expectations — and concerns
The returnee logged 18 minutes off the bench and finished 3-of-9 from the floor for 11 points. While the numbers aren’t disastrous, they offered no evidence that his new contract will pay immediate dividends.
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The front office publicly expressed confidence in Trent during media sessions this offseason. In the opener, however, he largely played the role expected of him: a spot-up shooter rather than a multifaceted contributor.
Scoring profile was clear: volume from deep
Trent’s most notable stat was his work from long range. He went 3-of-8 from three-point range, a 37.5 percent mark on significant attempts. That shooting still represents his primary value to the team.
Beyond that, his game was narrow. He attempted only one shot inside the arc, earned two free throws and recorded just one assist and one rebound. Those peripheral numbers underline how one-dimensional his performance can be.
Defensive decline and roster fit
Once regarded as a capable perimeter defender, Trent’s defensive reputation has faded over the past two seasons. That downturn made the size of his contract a surprise to many observers.
Milwaukee is navigating major roster change after the trade of Giannis Antetokounmpo, and the club needs perimeter defense as it retools. At nearly 28 years old, Trent sits on a different developmental timeline than the Bucks’ younger pieces, which complicates how he fits on a rebuilding roster.
How Trent can validate the deal
It’s too early to project a full-season outcome from one preseason game. Still, the path for Trent to justify a four-year, $64 million commitment is narrow: either sustain elite shooting efficiency or contribute measurable veteran leadership and two-way play.
For now, Milwaukee’s only realistic option is to hope he finds rhythm and chemistry once the regular season starts. If that doesn’t happen, doubts about the contract will only deepen.
