NBA probes Bucks' $64M Gary Trent Jr. contract

The National Basketball Association has opened an investigation into the Milwaukee Bucks' free-agent signing of guard Gary Trent Jr., a four-year, $64 million contract that has drawn intense scrutiny from across the league for its unusual structure and timing. The league's inquiry, confirmed on July 16, 2026, focuses on whether the agreement constitutes salary cap circumvention.

The deal, which was officially announced by the Bucks, guarantees Trent a significant raise following a season in which his production and role diminished. In the 2025-26 season, Trent averaged 8.1 points and 21.2 minutes per game, shooting 38.7 percent from the field, marking career lows in several categories. His salary the previous season was approximately $3.6 million, following a $2.6 million deal the year before that. This sharp escalation in guaranteed money, despite declining performance, has prompted questions about a potential prior understanding between the player and the team.

NBA rules explicitly prohibit any undisclosed agreements, often called "handshake deals," where a player accepts a below-market contract with a promise of future compensation once the team has greater financial...