As the Milwaukee Bucks navigate the 2024-2025 NBA season, one of the intriguing story lines has been the integration and performance of Gary Trent Jr., the sharpshooting guard who joined the team on a veteran minimum contract during the off season. Signed to bolster the Bucks’ perimeter game and provide defensive tenacity, Trent has quickly become a vital piece of Milwaukee’s roster. Now, as we sit on March 31, 2025, with the regular season winding down, it’s clear that Trent’s contributions—especially alongside superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo—have added a new dimension to the Bucks’ championship aspirations.
A Slow Start Turns into a Steady Rise
Gary Trent Jr.’s journey with the Bucks didn’t begin with fireworks. After inking a one-year, $2.1 million deal in July 2024, expectations were high for the 26-year-old guard, who had established himself as a reliable scorer and three-point threat with the Toronto Raptors. However, his initial stint in Milwaukee was rocky. Through the first seven games, Trent struggled to find his rhythm, prompting head coach Doc Rivers to pull him from the starting lineup. At that point, the Bucks were mired in a disappointing 2-8 start, and Trent’s early stat line—modest scoring and a dip in his trademark shooting efficiency—did little to inspire confidence.
But Trent’s story this season is one of resilience. Since mid-November, he’s turned things around dramatically, emerging as a consistent contributor off the bench and, at times, back in the starting five. As of late March 2025, Trent is averaging around 14 points per game since the trade deadline (February 6), with a scorching 44.8% clip from beyond the arc since November 13. His ability to adapt to a fluctuating role—whether starting alongside Giannis and Damian Lillard or anchoring the second unit—has made him one of the Bucks’ most valuable X-factors this season.
The Perfect Perimeter Partner for Giannis
Giannis Antetokounmpo remains the heartbeat of the Bucks. But what makes Giannis dangerous is when he’s surrounded by shooters who can capitalise on the defensive attention he commands. Enter Gary Trent Jr. Trent’s primary gift to Giannis is his elite three-point shooting. With a career three-point percentage of 38.6%, Trent has long been a marksman, but this season, playing alongside Giannis has elevated his opportunities. Defenses collapse on Giannis whenever he barrels toward the basket or posts up, often leaving shooters like Trent wide open on the perimeter. Trent has thrived in these scenarios, particularly on kick-out passes from Giannis in transition or half-court sets. His quick release and ability to knock down “wide-open” threes—he shot 117-of-228 on such attempts last season with Toronto—have translated seamlessly to Milwaukee, where Giannis’s gravity ensures those looks keep coming.
Take, for example, a play from a January win against the Utah Jazz. Giannis grabbed a defensive rebound and fired a 55-foot outlet pass to Trent streaking up the sideline. Trent caught the ball in stride, set his feet, and drilled a transition three before the defense could recover. It’s moments like these that showcase how Trent amplifies Giannis’s transition dominance—one of the Greek Freak’s signature strengths. Giannis has increased his rate of long passes (35+ feet in the first three seconds of the shot clock) by 207% this season, and Trent has been a prime beneficiary, turning those dimes into instant points.
Stretching the Floor and Opening Driving Lanes
Beyond transition, Trent’s shooting stretches opposing defences in the half-court, creating more space for Giannis to operate. When Trent is on the floor, teams can’t afford to sag off him to double-team Giannis in the paint without risking an open three. This dynamic forces defences into tough decisions: stick to Trent and leave Giannis one-on-one, or collapse on Giannis and let Trent fire away. Either way, the Bucks win.
This synergy was evident in a December game against the Indiana Pacers, where Trent’s presence in the corner pulled his defender away from the paint. Giannis exploited the single coverage, bullying his way to the rim for an and-one layup. Later in the same game, Trent closed out the win with a clutch three off a Giannis drive-and-kick, showcasing how their partnership thrives in crunch time. Bucks coach Doc Rivers has leaned on Trent in closing lineups more frequently as the season has progressed, a testament to his reliability next to Giannis.
Defensive Grit: Taking Pressure Off Giannis
While Trent’s offense gets the headlines, his defensive effort has been just as critical in supporting Giannis. The Bucks’ defense cratered to 19th in the league last season, a far cry from their elite units during the 2021 championship run. To a large degree this is due to Giannis focusing more on offence and personal stat padding. Trent was brought in to shore up the perimeter, and while he’s not an All-Defensive calibre player, his tenacity has made a difference. At 6’6” and 210 pounds, Trent has the size and quickness to take on tough assignments, allowing Giannis to focus on roaming the paint and protecting the rim rather than chasing guards on the perimeter because he obviously wants to save energy for getting to the rim on the other end.
Trent’s “second- and third-effort plays,” as he described them after a season-opening win against the Philadelphia 76ers, have become a hallmark of his game. Whether it’s fighting through screens or swiping at the ball to disrupt dribble drives, Trent’s hustle sets up Giannis and center Brook Lopez to clean up at the rim. Giannis himself praised Trent’s defence after that Philly game, calling it “incredible” and noting how Trent made life tough for speedy guard Tyrese Maxey. That kind of point-of-attack pressure is exactly what the Bucks need to climb back into the top 10 defensively—a goal Rivers has emphasized all season.
Chemistry and Work Ethic: Giannis’s Seal of Approval
Off the court, Trent’s work ethic has earned him high praise from Giannis, further solidifying their on-court connection. After a January win over the San Antonio Spurs, where Trent went a perfect 5-for-5 from the field (including 4-for-4 from three), Giannis highlighted not just the performance but Trent’s preparation. “It’s not about what he saw from him tonight; it’s what he saw from GT yesterday on his day off and the work he consistently has put in all season,” Giannis said via reporter Melanie Ricks. That dedication resonates with Giannis, a player known for his relentless drive, and it’s fostered a mutual respect that translates into trust during games.
The Big Picture: Trent’s Role
The Bucks championship hopes , if any at all, hinge on Giannis and Lillard finding their stride and role players like Trent stepping up. Trent’s ability to space the floor, knock down shots, and lighten Giannis’s defensive load has made him a linchpin in Milwaukee’s retooled rotation. His bargain-bin contract—once seen as a gamble—now looks like one of the off season’s biggest steals.
For Giannis, Trent is more than just a shooter; he’s a release valve, a safety net, and a spark. Whether it’s burying threes off Giannis’s passes, stretching defences to open driving lanes, or grinding on defence to keep the Bucks competitive, Trent has proven he’s the kind of complementary piece that can push a contender over the top. As the playoffs loom, the Giannis-Trent tandem could be the difference between another early exit and a deep run. Bucks fans—and Giannis himself—couldn’t ask for much more from their off season addition turned indispensable ally.
(Featured image is from this excellent article.)
