Bucks guard Gary Trent Jr. signed a one-year contract

The Milwaukee Bucks and free agent Gary Trent Jr. agreed to a one-year deal Tuesday, his agents Rich Paul and Lucas Newton of Klutch Sports told ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.

Trent, 25, joins Milwaukee after spending the last three and a half seasons in Toronto. He averaged 13.7 points on 43 percent shooting in 71 games during the 2023-24 season while shooting 39 percent from three-point range, his best mark since the 2019-20 season.

Trent’s arrival marks the biggest change of the season for the Bucks this summer, as they have largely kept their roster intact for next year. Trent should make up for the loss of Malik Beasley, who signed a one-year deal with the Pistons, and help improve Milwaukee’s outside shooting. Trent shot 41 percent from three-point range over the past two seasons, according to Second Spectrum, making him a perfect fit on the court with Damian Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo running the ball.

Trent will also reunite with Lillard, who was his teammate for two-plus seasons in Portland.

In addition to his shooting ability, Trent also brings some defensive potential to Milwaukee. He’s also one of four players to make 500 three-pointers and 300 steals over the past three seasons, according to ESPN Stats & Information, joining Minnesota’s Anthony Edwards, Indiana’s Tyrese Haliburton and Houston’s Fred VanVleet.

Trent also has a connection to Bucks coach Doc Rivers through his father; Trent Sr. Rivers flew to Miami during the offseason to help recruit Trent to Milwaukee.

After being selected by Sacramento in the second round in 2018, Trent was traded to Portland where he spent two and a half seasons as a teammate of Lillard before being traded to Toronto during the 2020-21 season. Trent exercised a player option to remain in Toronto for the 2023-24 season, but he never received an extension offer from the Raptors after the season, sources told ESPN.

By signing with Milwaukee, Trent will have a chance to join a championship contender next season with a chance to rebuild his value and test the free agency market again next season.