Based on his recent social media activity, Milwaukee Bucks superstar Damian Lillard has been in the Turks and Caicos Islands to celebrate his birthday. This does not mean, however, that he didn’t play a role in Milwaukee’s successful coup of free-agent shooting guard Gary Trent Jr, albeit indirectly.
Milwaukee Bucks News: Gary Trent Jr. Wanted Damian Lillard Reunion
For those that require context, Trent actually started his career with the Portland Trail Blazers. Portland selected him as a second-round pick during the 2018 NBA Draft, and it was with the Blazers that he first cut his teeth, so to speak.
During that time, Tren’t vet was none other than Lillard himself.
According to a report by Blake Murphy of Sportsnet, Trent’s relationship with Lillard may have played a pivotal role in the former’s decision to go to Milwaukee — regardless of the fact that he had more profitable options available.
“In the end, he opted to reunite with Damian Lillard and contend for a championship on a one-year minimum ($2.6 million) rather than taking multi-year offers at the smaller mid-level ($5.2 million in Year 1) that were on the table, according to league sources,” Murphy wrote.
Not only did Trent turn down more money, but he also opted to sign a more short-term deal with the Bucks. It wouldn’t be a surprise if Trent’s decision was highly influenced by his time in Portland playing alongside Dame. In fact, Lillard probably gave his former teammate a call to recruit him to join the Bucks.
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