Gary Trent Jr. probably could have gotten a better offer elsewhere, but he chose to sign a veteran’s minimum contract with the Bucks for the chance to win a title. In an interview with Grant Afseth of Sportskeeda, Trent talked about what attracted him to Milwaukee and indicated that he hopes this season will be the start of an extended future in the city.
“It’s a great opportunity. I’m 25, and I still have years left to grow,” Trent said. “This is a great place to find a home base and be part of something long-term. It’s an excellent organization with great players, a solid front office, and good energy, so it’s been great so far.”
Trent took a severe pay cut for his seventh NBA season, playing for about $2.6MM after coming off a three-year, $51.8MM contract in Toronto. The Bucks reportedly made a strong recruiting pitch after losing Malik Beasley in free agency, and Trent is excited about the chance to team up with Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard.
“I get to play with two players who are in the top 75 in NBA history,” Trent said. “Their approach to the game every night can only uplift everybody around them and put a certain focus on their mindset. It’s about rolling with that and figuring it out together.”
There’s more from the Central Division:
- Ben Sheppard was a valuable member of the Pacers‘ second unit last season, but it won’t be easy to earn the same level of playing time in a crowded rotation, writes Dustin Dopirak of The Indianapolis Star. Bennedict Mathurin will soak up a lot of the bench minutes as he returns from injury, and Sheppard will be competing for time at the wing spots with Mathurin and Jarace Walker, two high lottery picks. “I just say every chance I get to step on the floor I’m just trying to showcase the player that I am,” Sheppard said. “I’m just a team player, a high IQ player that just plays the right way. I feel like every time I go out there, I don’t need to do anything outside of my skill set.”
- There’s still a gap between the Bulls and Josh Giddey as Monday’s deadline for rookie scale extensions nears, according to K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Sports Network (Twitter link). Johnson notes that the team’s recent practice has been to let the final year play out and re-sign players as restricted free agents, as it did with Coby White and Patrick Williams.
- Strong performances from White and Zach LaVine, along with an encouraging return by Lonzo Ball, give the Bulls reasons for optimism, Julia Poe of The Chicago Tribune notes in a recap of the preseason. However, there are concerns about Williams, who had to leave two preseason games with wrist and ankle injuries.
Only thing he’s getting in Milwaukee is that HighAF thropy after that pic”
I will forever die on this hill: Bulls should’ve let Williams walk. He’s gonna show he was never worth the 4th overall pick and now a $90 mil extension.
What do they have to lose? At the worst he’s an overpaid 3nD guy. He’s shown enough flashes that while I’m not banking on a huge improvement , I see the vision.
Not like they had to pass on someone else to resign him, they should be taking risks on young dudes right now.
The fact that he was the 4th pick doesn’t matter now, what’s done is done. I don’t think it’s an overpay, Williams is a great defender and has knocked down his threes at an elite .410 clip over his career. Even if he doesn’t get any better that’s still on par for other players that have a similar skill set. His contracts is also cap friendly because he signed for $18 non ascending. The only risk is injury as he’s missed a lot of games.
Agree with Benji & chuck, Williams is a good investment imo, especially keeping him as an asset rather than losing for nothing. $18M/per is about 13% of the current Bulls cap, which will decrease about %1 each year as the cap grows. He’s paid roughly what Hachimura or Harrison Barnes currently make, with a better skillset than both. The key is his health.
Still. I hope Phillips and Buzelis are given regular minutes with Williams. With some luck re Lonzo & Giddey, this team could really surprise folks like FastEddie.
Benjivain, you are exactly correct. Patrick Williams is their best defensive starter, and he’s already proven that can be an effective 3&D player in the league.
He has excellent defense, and he can guard a variety of player types effectively. P-Will is a very consistent 3-point shot, and if he can continue evolving his game, like he showed in the preseason, with a newfound aggression on offense then he will be more than worth every penny. He just needs to be more active on the offensive end, more decisive with the ball in his hands, and the main thing for Patrick Williams’ success is just having him available and healthy.
It is like I’ve told multiple fans already, there’s a very legitimate reason so many teams were interested in acquiring Williams this off-season. Bulls had everything to gain, and risked losing another potential solid player if they let him leave or traded him with his value down.
If he has a healthy season, I think alot of fans will be singing a different tune about P-Will after this season. I think the Bhlls new-look uptempo offense is going to be just the situation he needs to help him unlock his potential as an excellent 3&D wing that’s capable of putting up 15-20 a night with 6-8 boards, 3-4 assists, and a steal and a block here and there. That’s easily attainable for him if he’s available and once he gets acclimated to their new offense. It’s going to force him to remain active and do less thinking, and that’s precisely what P-Will needs.
And that’s why the Bulls are one of the worst teams in the NBA.
He took a cut in pay because he had no other offers. If he wanted to join a contender, he would have gone to the Nuggets or Wolves.
He had some better money offers, but the money was still low, with more years.
He bet on himself with a 1-year… plus it would definitely be a team in the championship hunt if not for Doc being the coach.
The Bulls overpaid Williams and underpaid Coby White.
As for Lonzo Ball, I hope he has a decent season, but honestly, I don’t think he last thru the all-star break. He’s broken. Seems both Ball brothers are injury prone. Blame their injuries on the Big Baller shoes they wore early in their careers. Lonzo said he had to change shoes 15 times during a game because they would fall apart. No foot support. Dangerous.
Big Faller shoes