Gary Trent Jr. probably could have gotten a better offer somewhere else, 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 skillset.”
- 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 NBC Sports Chicago (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.