Alert! Shams BOMB! Gary Trent Jr. is the latest Buck to re-sign with the team, this time on a two-year, $7.5m deal. Like both Porter and Prince’s deals, the second year is a player option for Trent.
ESPN’s Bobby Marks has [reported](https://x.com/bobbymarks42/status/1939878787891786024?s=46&t=oBpj9irYEFbb0kUxE3SfsA) that the deal is the Non-Bird exception (120% above the minimum). I think it’s fair to say that most fans were bracing for Trent to leave in free agency. Thus, getting him on a bargain-basement deal like this is terrific work by the Bucks front office. Of course, this deal leaves the Bucks able to spend their entire MLE.
After a rough start to last season, Trent _really_ rounded into form as the year progressed, ending the year averaging 11.1 points and shooting 41.6% from three on 5.9 attempts (!) per game. He also came up massive in the playoffs, dropping 37 and 33 points in two of the five games. With Damian Lillard out for a large chunk of next season, Trent will help keep the offence humming.
Taking the Non-Bird exception was exactly what Bobby Portis did in 2021 following the title; Portis then got _paid_ in the following summer. That is likely what is going on here with Trent, who can have a $14.2m starting salary if he re-signs _next offseason_ (2026-27) in Milwaukee with Early Bird rights. Welcome back to the Cream City, GTJ!