Bucks' big offseason acquisition suffers injury

If Dalton Knecht was "the steal" of this year's NBA Draft, Gary Trent Jr. was, hands down, "the steal" of the NBA's free-agency period. 

The Bucks signed Trent for a veteran minimum deal of $2.6 million, a year after he averaged 13.7 points, 2.6 rebounds and 1.1 steals while shooting 39.3 percent from deep. According to several insiders, Trent took a pay cut to play next to his former Blazers teammate, Damian Lillard, to chase an NBA title with an Eastern Conference powerhouse such as Milwaukee.

The 25-year-old was a shoo-in to be the Bucks' starting shooting guard, especially after the departure of Malik Beasley to the Pistons. However, those plans could be in serious jeopardy entering the new season. 

On Sunday, Trent suffered a hyperextended elbow during the Bucks' preseason opener against the Pistons after running into a screen from Jalen Duren. The veteran guard was seen grimacing in pain for several minutes before being helped off the court by the training staff. He did not return to the game.

The Athletic's Eric Nehm, who covers the Bucks, noted after the game that the team did not provide a postgame update on Trent's injury status. 

"The Bucks had no further update following the initial designation on Sunday night, so it will be necessary to keep an eye on Trent moving forward," Nehm noted.

In just 13 minutes of action, Trent looked every bit "the steal" of free agency as he knocked down two quick threes and complemented Lillard in the backcourt. Standing at 6-foot-5 with a 6-foot-9 wingspan, he has the tools to be a disruptive defender, another reason many feel he's the ideal fit next to the undersized Lillard. 

In Trent's absence, Bucks head coach Doc Rivers is expected to give extended minutes to Pat Connaughton, AJ Green and Delon Wright. The Bucks open their season against the Sixers on Oct. 23.