Bucks Player Being Investigated Doesn’t Play After Signing $64 Million Extension

Milwaukee Bucks guard Gary Trent Jr. did not play in the team's season-opening 128-116 loss to the Washington Wizards despite recently signing a four-year, $64 million contract extension. Trent Jr. received a coach's decision DNP (did not play), remaining on the bench throughout the contest. His lucrative offseason deal had previously prompted an NBA investigation into the Bucks for potential salary cap circumvention following a season in which he averaged only 8.1 points per game.

Writer Ryan Stano argues that benching Trent Jr. will intensify scrutiny surrounding the contract while the league's investigation remains ongoing. The contest also marked Milwaukee's first regular-season game without Giannis Antetokounmpo since 2013, with the franchise pivoting toward developing younger players amid low external expectations.