Gary Trent Jr. Is an Underrated Key to Milwaukee Bucks’ Success

But the Bucks were able to get Trent to re-sign on another team-friendly deal. While the Turner move is a big deal, it has caused many to glaze over the magnitude of Trent Jr. returning to Milwaukee.

After a rocky start to his Bucks’ tenure, Trent Jr. was stellar for the Bucks. Trent struggled mightily early last season with his shot, including a 1-for-18 stretch. But after the Bucks lost eight of 10 games to start the year, Trent began draining threes at a blistering rate.

Last season Trent Jr. averaged 11.1 points per game on 41.6% from three-point range, but his importance to the Bucks goes beyond scoring. The spacing he provides Giannis alone is valuable. If Doc Rivers continues to play Trent Jr. and A.J. Green together on the wings with Giannis and Myles Turner, Giannis should have much more freedom in the paint. Giannis easily is the best in the league at scoring in the paint as is.

The Bucks’ top three-player lineup in +/- in 150 or more minutes played last year was Giannis, Trent Jr. and Green together.

Trent Jr. Steps Into Bigger Role This Season

It seems odd some being worried about whether Trent Jr. can continue the lights out shooting with an uptick in minutes. But Trent Jr. had his lowest minutes total since his rookie year last season with the Bucks.

Trent Jr. was a regular starter in Toronto for three-and-a-half seasons and shot each season at 36.9% from 3 or higher. The seven-year guard has had higher volume seasons in the NBA and been successful.

Trent Jr. attempted nearly six threes per game with the Bucks last year. In Toronto he never averaged below 6.4 attempts per game. Trent Jr. averaged 18.3 points and 17.4 points per game in consecutive seasons in Toronto playing over 32.4 minutes per game both years. If he gives the Bucks that level of production with a slight drop to, say, 38% from three, that will play.

With Lillard gone, Trent Jr. likely will play closer to his Toronto minutes. With Lillard out in the playoffs last year, Trent Jr. rose to the occasion with 37 points in a Game 3 victory over Indiana. Despite losing in Game 5, Trent Jr. had 33 in that game.

For the series against Indiana, he averaged 18.8 points per game and connected on 50% of his threes.

In the Bucks’ season opener this year, Trent Jr. drained five three-pointers and had 17 points, four rebounds and two steals. Many wondered who the Bucks second-leading scorer will be this year, but Trent will take that a number of times this season. He currently is third on the team in scoring, behind Giannis and Cole Anthony, at 14.3 points per game.

Bucks Could Keep Trent Jr. in Milwaukee Long-Term

Back in Cream City, Trent Jr. will be the Bucks’ starting shooting guard. The team-friendly, short-term contract for Trent is a win-win for both the Bucks and Trent.

Another sneaky aspect to Trent Jr. returning to the Bucks is the Bucks will have Early Bird Rights for an extension for Trent Jr.

For players on smaller salaries, the maximum teams can pay with early Early Bird Rights is based on the estimated average salary (a figure the NBA provides ahead of July free agency). Players with Early Bird Rights can sign the higher of about $11 million or 175 percent of their previous salary. The Bucks could use this to sign Trent to Green- or Bobby Portis-like extensions.

Trent Jr. Part of Reason Bucks Could Surprise This Season

While there are some concerns with the Bucks, with the re-signing of Trent Jr., and having Turner in tow, the Bucks could surprise some people. The Bucks have one of the best players in the NBA in Giannis and strong shooting around him. While Lillard’s production will be missed, the Bucks have a strong perimeter group led by Trent Jr.

However, the oddsmakers and media aren’t liking the Bucks’ chances. The over/under win total for the Bucks is 43.5, meaning they are projected to be slightly above .500 team.

In a conference with top teams devastated by injuries to star players in Boston and Indiana, the Bucks could be a top-four seed in the East. Yes, Damian Lillard is gone. But bringing Trent Jr. back was an underrated huge boon. With Green and Trent Jr. surrounding Giannis and Myles Turner patrolling the paint, the Bucks should push to win as many games as they did last year.