The Milwaukee Bucks have made a key move by signing free agent guard Gary Trent Jr. to a one-year deal, as his agents Rich Paul and Lucas Newton of Klutch Sports have confirmed to ESPN. Trent Jr. reunites with Damian Lillard and joins a Bucks organization that aggressively pursued him to strengthen their roster and boost their title aspirations.
Free agent G Gary Trent Jr. has agreed on a one-year deal with the Milwaukee Bucks, Rich Paul and Lucas Newton of @klutchsports tell ESPN. Trent reunites with Damian Lillard and joins a Bucks organization that recruited him hard to chase a title with them. pic.twitter.com/jXmQuCcRMx
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 16, 2024
Gary Trent Jr. is known for his sharpshooting and defensive prowess. Over the last three seasons, he has established himself as one of the league’s most reliable perimeter threats and defenders. He is one of only four players to record at least 500 made three-pointers and 300 steals during this period. The other players who share this impressive feat are Anthony Edwards, Tyrese Haliburton, and Fred VanVleet.
Trent Jr. reportedly turned down multiple offers from other teams, which were willing to offer him multi-year mid-level contracts, and decided to sign with Milwaukee for the minimum to reunite with Damian Lillard, Blake Murphy claims. “In the end, he opted to reunite with Damian Lillard and contend for a championship on a one-year minimum ($2.6 million) rather than taking multi-year offers at the smaller mid-level ($5.2 million in Year 1) that were on the table, according to league sources.”
The signing of Gary Trent Jr. marks Milwaukee’s biggest addition of the offseason, solidifying their commitment to surrounding their star players Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard with the talent needed to compete for an NBA title.