Gary Trent Jr. was never supposed to be this important.<\/p>\n
A surprise signing in July 2024, Trent was meant to be the final piece, the fifth option, the three-and-D guard to complement Giannis, Damian Lillard, Khris Middleton, and Brook Lopez. He was meant to join the carousel of ~6\u20194\u201d shooting guards that had come and gone before him\u2014Donte DiVincenzo, Grayson Allen, and Malik Beasley\u2014and fulfill the modus operandi: space the floor, hit the open three, protect the rock, and play respectable defence. Yet, as this offseason has once again proven, what was is not always what is.<\/p>\n
Despite high hopes and a buzz after opening night\u2014where he hounded Tyrese Maxey to 10\/31 shooting\u2014Trent had a shaky start with the Bucks. Over the season\u2019s first seven games, he averaged a meager 8.0 PPG and his shooting was brutal: 28.8% from the field and 23.1% from three. Pressure mounting with a 1-7 record, Doc Rivers promptly pulled Trent from his starting role and, in a flash, the Bucks found themselves winners of 9\/10.<\/p>\n
Just as quickly, Trent found his rhythm too, shooting a blistering 52.1% from three over that same stretch. This continued for the rest of the season, with Trent converting an elite 42.2% from long range, though he was never able to regain that starting spot despite the team\u2019s obvious need for, you know, an actual guard to start at the two (what\u2019s up, Doc? indeed).<\/p>\n