Could the Milwaukee Bucks Find Gary Trent Jr. Replacement With 47th Overall Pick in 2025 NBA Draft?

Will Gary Trent Jr. Stay With the Milwaukee Bucks?

The Milwaukee Bucks are looking to revamp their roster, and it’s no secret that they would like to get younger in the process. Shooting guard Gary Trent Jr. was one of the few bright spots in the 2025 NBA Playoffs, but he is now an unrestricted free agent. Along with Trent, other veterans like Brook Lopez, Bobby Portis , and Taurean Prince will be on the market this summer.

If Milwaukee decides to let Trent walk, then they will need to find a way to replace his over-25 minutes per game (which rose to almost 35 mpg in the postseason) and 41.6% three-point shooting. AJ Green looks a likely figure to assume some of these minutes regardless of if Trent stays or not, but the Bucks could also turn to a potential rookie to give them some decent shooting in lieu of re-signing Trent. After a decent year, it’s possible Trent could command a moderately expensive, multi-year deal, which could cause general manager Jon Horst to look to use their cap space elsewhere rather than commit to the 26-year-old.

Option #1 – Chaz Lanier

Tennessee Volunteers wing Chaz Lanier absolutely set the college basketball world on fire last season. The 6-foot-3 sniper had a record-setting season in Knoxville last year, where he shot a scorching 39.5% from long-range on the year. Lanier has shown a pension for knocking down tough shots and was particularly deadly off catch-and-shoot (much like Trent), where he made 40.5% of his over 200 attempts.

Lanier does not project as someone who will have the ball in their hands a lot, but he does not need tons of touches to get himself going. His high-release and quick cutting and movement make him a player who can become a threatening floor-spacer.

Lanier’s defensive potential and limited ball-handling experience make him a prospect that will likely be available at pick 47.

Option #2 – Koby Brea

Much like Lanier, Kentucky Wildcats guard Koby Brea is a catch-and-shoot extraordinaire. On over 11 attempts per 100 possessions during his senior season, Brea was a 43.5% deep-ball shooter. His flawless shooting mechanics are also evidenced by nearly 92% from the free-throw line.

Where Lanier lacks some polish in other areas of his offensive game, Brea is a player who is a good connector and a quick decision-maker, with some off-the-bounce ability as well. At 6-foot-7, Brea is much bigger than Trent and can still offer an NBA team elite shooting ability.

Brea figures to be an early-to-mid second-round pick, and if the Bucks were to select him, they would be getting someone who can instantly enter the rotation as a deadly shooter with a lot of potential to grow.

Option #3 – Hunter Sallis

While the previous two players are mostly beyond-the-arc marksmen, Wake Forest combo guard Hunter Sallis can really fill it up at all three levels. His 26.8% usage rate in college was one of the higher marks in Division I, and his over 18 points per game came from Sallis getting to his spots all over the court. He is less of a pure spot-up guy, but offers more versatility.

At 6-foot-5, Sallis is bigger than Trent and has more ability to handle the ball. Where someone like Trent is mostly in the game for letting it fly from range, Sallis figures to be a player more able to make something happen off the dribble, particularly when attacking closeouts. His bigger frame and long arms mean he can find ways to get to the rim as the defense is rotating.

The Bucks have already shown interest in Sallis and have hosted him for a workout. Perhaps even a better comparison for Sallis would be Kevin Porter Jr., who had a strong year for Milwaukee but, like Trent, could be a casualty in free agency. Porter has a player-option that could see him stay with the Bucks, but versatile depth at the guard position from a mature prospect is nonetheless enticing.

Conclusions

Milwaukee has many holes on the roster and plenty of upgrades to make. Second rounds in the NBA Draft are full of less flashy prospects but still feature plenty of quality players. Where the teenagers with All-Star potential are usually long gone, second rounds are still full of talent that sometimes, can be more ready to make an immediate impact on a team. Regardless of what direction Milwaukee decides to go, they need a player who can enter the rotation as an 8th or 9th man and can start helping out immediately. The future of the Giannis Antetokounmpo era, however long it lasts, will depend on drafting well and making smart free agent decisions.