Gary Trent Jr. primed to seize Bucks’ No. 2 role with Giannis

It was only five games, but Gary Trent Jr. stepped up as Milwaukee’s second-leading scorer in last year’s NBA Playoffs, putting up 18.8 points per game. He played with energy and confidence, proving he can handle a bigger role than he saw in the regular season. That might be the clearest sign the Bucks should lean on him more heavily next year.

Gary Trent Jr. as Giannis’ number 2

If the Milwaukee Bucks fully commit to Giannis Antetokounmpo as their primary playmaker next season, Gary Trent Jr. stands to benefit the most. Trent buried 43 of 89 triples (48.3 percent) off Giannis’ passes last year, even while shifting roles throughout the season. If he locks down a starting spot from day one, Doc Rivers could unleash a dynamic one-two scoring tandem.

Although Gary Trent Jr. will benefit from Giannis Antetokounmpo’s gravity, he offers far more than spot-up shooting. Trent has proven he can generate his own offense, a skill he showcased in Toronto. In the 2021-22 and 2022-23 seasons, he averaged 17.9 points per game while taking 14.7 shots per night. In contrast, his role with the Bucks has limited him to just 8.9 attempts, cutting back the offensive freedom that fueled his production.

Trent Jr. enters next season with plenty of motivation, just as he showed this past year, after signing a team-friendly contract over the summer. If he wants to cash in with a massive payday next offseason, his best path might be a breakout scoring surge that cements him as Milwaukee’s dependable second option.

The Bucks will be counting on Gary Trent Jr. to deliver a big year. Myles Turner could step in as the second option, but with his heavy defensive workload, he risks wearing down. Kyle Kuzma has scoring talent, but he thrives more as a complementary piece than a primary option. Kevin Porter Jr. has the ability as well, though there’s no certainty he’ll even crack the starting lineup.