Based on his recent social media activity, Milwaukee Bucks star Damian Lillard was in Turks and Caicos to celebrate his birthday. That doesn’t mean he didn’t play a role in Milwaukee’s successful coup for free-agent shooting guard Gary Trent Jr., albeit indirectly.
Milwaukee Bucks News: Gary Trent Jr. Wanted to Meet with Damian Lillard
For those who need context, Trent actually began his career with the Portland Trail Blazers. Portland selected him as a second-round pick in the 2018 NBA draft, and it was with the Blazers that he first, so to speak, took his first steps.
At the time, Trent’s vet was none other than Lillard himself.
According to a report from Sportsnet’s Blake Murphy, Trent’s relationship with Lillard may have played a key role in the former’s decision to come to Milwaukee — regardless of the fact that he had more lucrative options available to him.
“In the end he decided to reunify Damian Lillard and compete for a championship on a one-year minimum contract ($2.6 million) rather than accepting the multi-year, lower-mid-range offers ($5.2 million in Year 1) that were on the table, according to league sources,” Murphy wrote.
Not only did Trent turn down a larger amount of money, but he also opted to sign with the Bucks on a more short-term deal. It wouldn’t be surprising if Trent’s decision was largely dictated by his time in Portland, where he played alongside Dame. In fact, Lillard likely called his former teammate to recruit him to the Bucks.
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