Milwaukee Bucks' $64M Gary Trent Jr. Deal Under NBA Investigation

The NBA announced an investigation into the Milwaukee Bucks' four‑year, $64 million contract with guard Gary Trent Jr., citing a possible violation of the league's salary‑cap rules. The league’s collective‑bargaining agreement prohibits “prior agreement” deals that could circumvent the cap, and officials suspect the Bucks may have arranged the contract in advance. Trent, 27, re‑signed after opting out of a player option, receiving a $16 million annual salary despite a season in which he averaged just 8.1 points per game, his lowest output since his rookie year. The deal also invoked Early Bird rights, allowing the Bucks to retain him even while over the cap. The NBA has not taken action against a contract since the 2000 Minnesota Timberwolves case involving Joe Smith. The investigation is in its early stages, and no penalties have been announced.