NBA Investigating Bucks Over Gary Trent Jr. Contract for Potential Salary Cap Circumvention

The NBA is investigating the circumstances surrounding the Milwaukee Bucks’ signing of guard Gary Trent Jr., with the league examining whether the deal breached salary cap rules.

An NBA spokesperson confirmed on Thursday that the league is “continuing to look into” the agreement, while ESPN reported that the investigation is focused on possible salary cap circumvention by the Bucks.

Although Milwaukee has not officially disclosed the terms of the contract, ESPN reported that Trent agreed to a four-year deal worth $64 million. The agreement follows a 2025-26 campaign in which the guard averaged 8.1 points and 21.2 minutes per game, his lowest figures since his rookie season in 2018-19.

Trent first arrived in Milwaukee in 2024 after signing a veteran minimum contract despite having averaged 13.7 points per game with the Toronto Raptors. He returned for a second season after producing 11.1 points per game while shooting 41.6 per cent from three-point range during the 2024-25 campaign. His performances included two 30-point outings in the Bucks’ first-round playoff series defeat to the Indiana Pacers.

Before agreeing to the reported long-term contract, Trent declined a $3.9 million player option for the 2026-27 season, paving the way for the new deal with Milwaukee.

According to the reported details of the investigation, the NBA is examining whether there was a prior understanding between the player and the franchise that Trent would eventually receive a lucrative long-term contract after accepting below-market deals over the previous two seasons. Such an arrangement, if established, could amount to salary cap circumvention under league rules.

The Bucks have not publicly commented on the investigation, and the league has not announced a timeline for its conclusion.

The probe into Milwaukee is separate from another ongoing NBA investigation involving the Los Angeles Clippers. In that case, the league is reviewing whether a $28 million endorsement agreement between Kawhi Leonard and sustainability company Aspiration Fund Adviser LLC constituted salary cap circumvention. That investigation has delayed Leonard’s trade to the Toronto Raptors.

The outcome of both investigations could have significant implications for the NBA’s enforcement of salary cap regulations as the league continues to scrutinise transactions involving player contracts and related financial arrangements.