'Really Should Be Starting': Milwaukee Bucks Would Lose More Than Game 3 Hero if Gary Trent Jr. Signs Elsewhere

Trent was particularly helpful given Damian Lillard’s absence down the stretch, a factor that will continue into next season as Lillard heals from Achilles surgery. In March, Trent supplied consistent production, averaging 13.8 PPG and notching double figures in all but two games.

In the first round against Indiana he delivered a pair of 30-point performances, in which he also recorded four and five steals, respectively. His nine 3-pointers in Game 3 tied Ray Allen’s Bucks postseason record and propelled them to their sole win of the series.

His ability to score in bunches is all the more important given Milwaukee’s roster. With Lillard hurt, AJ Green and Andre Jackson Jr. are the Bucks’ only backcourt contributors under contract. They combined to average 10.8 PPG last season. Green is a three-point specialist; Jackson is a defender and not much else.

Trent Is Worth Re-Investment

Team insider Justin Garcia, who hosts the “Locked On Bucks” podcast, indeed views Trent as more than a reserve for the Bucks. “When you look at this roster, he really should be starting, and that’s where the team started to perform better last year,” Garcia said of Trent’s resurgence last season.

In a free agent market short on options in Milwaukee’s price range, bringing back Trent may be by far the best move. While he didn’t put up stats to rival his Toronto tenure, he checks a lot of boxes – spaces the floor, plays defense, can create his own shot.

Podcast guest Matt Moore, a journalist and senior NBA writer at the Action Network, agrees.

“I actually really loved his season last year. I thought that he brought a lot of what they needed, just, like, the competency. It’s surprising to me that the market on him is so low.”

Asked if he believes Trent will net an eight-figure deal, Moore replied in the negative. This opens the door for the Bucks to re-sign him without overpaying, using part of their $14.1 million nontaxpayer midlevel exception. Bringing back Trent would not be a splash by any stretch, but it is the kind of savvy, lower-profile move the Bucks will have to rely on to fill out a competitive roster next season.