Bucks Bench Gary Trent Jr. in Season Opener
The Milwaukee Bucks left Gary Trent Jr. on the sidelines as they opened their 2026 season with a loss to the Wizards.
Updated on Oct. 22, 2026 in Basketball
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The Milwaukee Bucks benched Gary Trent Jr. for their season opener, where the team fell 128-116 to the Washington Wizards. Coaches officially labeled the move as a DNP-CD as the team evaluates its rotation following the departure of Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Why it matters
The decision to bench a player signed to a $64 million extension highlights a strategic pivot toward younger roster development. This move signals a significant shift in team direction as Milwaukee reconfigures its rotation without its longtime star.
Gary Trent Jr. signed a $64 million contract extension during the 2025 offseason, despite averaging 8.1 points per game last year. In the season opener, the team shot 15-for-41 from the 3-point line, while Myles Turner recorded 11 points and 5 rebounds.
The players
Gary Trent Jr.
He is a professional basketball player who signed a four-year $64 million contract extension with the Milwaukee Bucks in the 2025 offseason.
Giannis Antetokounmpo
He is an NBA superstar who began his tenure with the Milwaukee Bucks in 2013 and is no longer on the team roster.
Myles Turner
He is a professional basketball player who recorded 11 points and 5 rebounds during the team's season opener.
Milwaukee Bucks
This is a professional basketball team based in Milwaukee currently under investigation by the NBA for potential salary cap circumvention.
Washington Wizards
This is an NBA franchise that defeated the Milwaukee Bucks in the 2026 season opener.
The details
Coaches utilized the season opener as an opportunity to experiment with younger players in the rotation. Amidst the roster changes, the NBA is currently investigating the Milwaukee Bucks for potential salary cap circumvention regarding the contract of Gary Trent Jr.
Timeline
2013 marked the beginning of Giannis Antetokounmpo tenure with the Milwaukee Bucks.
The 2025 offseason saw Gary Trent Jr. sign a $64 million contract extension.
On October 22, 2026, the Milwaukee Bucks played the Washington Wizards.
Season Trajectory
The investigation into the Milwaukee Bucks follows the conclusion of the NBA investigation involving the Los Angeles Clippers. This inquiry adds a layer of scrutiny to the franchise as it attempts to integrate younger players and redefine its competitive standing without its former star.
The shift toward a younger rotation suggests Myles Turner may eventually emerge as a trade candidate depending on team performance. Fantasy managers should monitor the playing time of younger bench players, as the current rotation is explicitly designed for development over established veterans.
The takeaway
The Milwaukee Bucks are entering a period of significant transition as they reallocate playing time toward younger talent. Maintaining flexibility under league salary cap rules will be critical for the front office as the team navigates this new post-Antetokounmpo era.
Further reading
For additional updates on the team's roster moves, visit the Milwaukee Basketball page.
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