“Everyone in the league expects to be found guilty” in regards to Bucks‘ relationship with Gary Trent JrESPN’s Brian Windhorst announces the latest episode of The Hoop Collective podcast (Link to video on Twitter).
The veteran rifle guard was signed by a a four-year, $64 million contract in July after a breakout season in which he averaged 8.1 points, 1.2 assists and 1.0 rebounds per game on 38.7% shooting. The NBA is there investigating transaction to determine was it a form of circumvention of the salary cap.
Trent originally signed a veteran-minimum contract with Milwaukee through 2024, then agreed to a small raise to $3.7 million after Right non-Bird in 2025 after a strong first season with the team. A lucrative new contract this summer fueled speculation that Trent agreed to those first two friendly deals with the promise that the Bucks would reward him once they could offer more money using him Early Bird Rights.
Windhorst’s comments were part of a discussion about the Bucks’ trade prospects after a 1-10 start to the season. ESPN’s Tim McMahon believes that virtually everyone on the roster could be available before the Feb. 11 deadline, but it’s still unclear who will run the front office when the general manager John Horst was suspended or dismissed for his actions at the Trent negotiations.
Windhorst adds that given the state of Milwaukee’s roster and the lack of available draft assets, the job could be “the worst general manager vacancy in decades” if Horst has to be replaced.
Citing precedents set this summer with the results of the Clippers investigation and p Joe Smith and the Timberwolves in 2000, ESPN’s Bobby Marks predicts the suspensions will be levied “for a long time” and the draft picks will be overturned if the league determines the Bucks made illegal promises to Trent.