The Milwaukee Bucks can count themselves lucky for having won the Gary Trent Jr. free-agency lottery. It’s not as if the 6-foot-5 shooting guard was one of the sought-after names on the market, but there’s no denying that the Bucks were not the only team that wanted him.
What makes this coup even more amazing is the fact that the Bucks somehow convinced Trent to sign a minimum deal despite significant interest from opposing teams.
Milwaukee Bucks News: Jon Horst Vocal on Gary Trent Jr. Signing
The architect behind this move was Bucks general manager Jon Horst. In a recent sit-down with Eric Nehm of The Athletic, the high-ranking Bucks exec expressed his confidence in the team’s newest recruit and why he believes signing Trent was a massive win for Milwaukee.
“Gary is a legit starting two-guard option that we’re very fortunate to be able to add to our group in a position of need,” Horst said. “He’s a starting two-guard. He’s got starting two-guard size. He’s an almost 40-percent 3-point shooter for his career.
“… He has a defensive component to his game that I think we can help flourish and grow more in our system. We’ve been able to do that with players, not only grow players offensively, but grow them defensively. And I just think he’s a great fit, not only next to Dame, but next to Khris and Giannis and Brook and Bobby and the group.”
Horst also confirmed reports that Trent turned down bigger paydays from other teams in favor of a short-term deal with the Bucks. The team GM commended Trent for the latter’s “willingness to bet on himself.”
“He didn’t have the market that he probably wanted, but he also wasn’t a minimum player,” Horst continued. “Gary could have signed for more money elsewhere. He chose us for the opportunity that he thinks that we can give him, but also, he wants to win. So, it says a lot about him that we were able to secure him here in free agency.”
At this point, it is clear that Trent will be extra motivated this season as he looks to up his stock for the future. At the end of the day, this will likely benefit the Bucks in a major way.
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