Bucks Re-Sign Gary Trent Jr. in Post-Giannis Reset

The Milwaukee Bucks kept veteran guard Gary Trent Jr. off the open market with a four-year, $64 million deal. The move reshapes a backcourt Milwaukee rebuilt after trading Giannis Antetokounmpo. The agreement keeps one of Milwaukee’s few holdover rotation pieces. Gary Trent Jr. returns as a rotation scorer for the retooling Bucks.

Milwaukee Rebuilds Its Guard Room Around Tyler Herro

Milwaukee traded Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bobby Portis to the Miami Heat on July 7. The Bucks finalized the deal on the eve of the 2026 NBA Draft. In return, Milwaukee landed Tyler Herro, Kel’el Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Kasparas Jakucionis. The Bucks also collected the No. 13 pick, two future first-rounders, a pick swap and a second-rounder.

Gary Trent Jr.’s new contract runs four years at $64 million, fully guaranteed with no options. The deal keeps a rotation guard who spent last season in Milwaukee. The Bucks also drafted guard Brayden Burries this summer. Trent now competes for minutes with Tyler Herro, Caris LeVert, Ryan Rollins and Kevin Porter Jr.

The Miami Heat won the Giannis Antetokounmpo sweepstakes over the Boston Celtics. Boston had offered Jaylen Brown and two first-round picks for Antetokounmpo. Milwaukee preferred Miami’s package of young talent and draft assets instead.

Giannis Antetokounmpo left Milwaukee as a two-time NBA MVP and 10-time All-Star. The Bucks won the 2021 NBA title behind Antetokounmpo, their first championship since 1971. Milwaukee drafted Antetokounmpo 15th overall in 2013 as a raw teenager. Antetokounmpo had spent his entire career in Milwaukee until the trade. Trading a franchise cornerstone of that stature stays rare across NBA history.

Trent’s deal looks modest against this offseason’s biggest contracts. Donovan Mitchell signed a record $273 million extension with Cleveland. Victor Wembanyama locked in a five-year, $252 million max with San Antonio. Milwaukee spent its money on depth rather than another headline star.

Miami now pairs Giannis Antetokounmpo with a roster chasing the Eastern Conference’s top tier. Milwaukee pivots toward youth and draft capital, adding three first-round picks in the deal. Milwaukee now leans on Herro and a deeper guard rotation. The Bucks kept Trent to stay competitive while Tyler Herro anchors the new core.

The Milwaukee Bucks open the 2026-27 season needing Tyler Herro to replace Giannis Antetokounmpo’s scoring. Milwaukee must also blend four rotation guards into one functional lineup. The Bucks also hope Kel’el Ware develops into a rotation center. Training camp this fall will test how the new core fits together.