"It's all about winning": Gary Trent Jr. on choosing to play alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard (Exclusive)
Gary Trent Jr. is no stranger to making tough decisions in his career, and this offseason, the 25-year-old guard opted to join the Milwaukee Bucks on a one-year, $2.6 million contract, a move he believes will maximize his potential and championship aspirations.
In an exclusive one-on-one interview with Sportskeeda, Trent opened up about choosing to sign with the Bucks, his preseason performance, the importance of his defensive role, and the opportunity to play alongside superstars Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard.
“I’m here to win a championship,” Trent told Sportskeeda. “Everything I do is going to be about helping this team reach that goal.”
Trent’s focus on defense and floor spacing has quickly made him a key piece of the Bucks' lineup, making him a strong fit next to Giannis Antetokoumpo and Damian Lillard. The guard also reflected on his long-standing relationship with coach Doc Rivers and how that connection influenced his decision to come to Milwaukee, as well as the team's recent efforts to build chemistry during training camp in Southern California.
Gary Trent Jr. (Exclusive Interview)
Q: You've talked about wanting to win a championship. Signing a one-year contract can be seen as a risk. How important is it for you to position yourself on a team like this at this stage of your career?
Gary Trent Jr.: "It’s a great opportunity. I’m 25, and I still have years left to grow. This is a great place to find a home base and be part of something long-term. It’s an excellent organization with great players, a solid front office, and good energy, so it’s been great so far."
Q: What have you enjoyed about Milwaukee so far?
Gary Trent Jr.: "It’s super chill, super laid back. I’m already familiar with the Midwest—I'm from Columbus, Ohio, and I lived in Minnesota for a few years, so it’s not new to me. I’ve been to Wisconsin a lot for events in high school and AAU tournaments, so it’s good to be back in the Midwest."
Q: Your team went to Southern California for training camp. How important is it to take advantage of opportunities to build off-court chemistry?
Gary Trent Jr.: "It’s super important. We went out there to get better, drilling and implementing things for the season. We had long practices, but it’s what we signed up for. We also had team bonding experiences—dinners, meetings, guest speakers, and more. It was cool to be around each other, see how guys interact, and get to know one another."
Q: You've had a pretty impressive preseason so far. What are your thoughts on your performance and your fit with the team so far?
Gary Trent Jr.: "My fit has been great with the team so far. Personally, I don't think I shot the ball as well as I know I can, but that just comes with reps and figuring out where I can fit within this team offensively. It’s a process, learning every day, and learning from the players. It’s been great so far. I have an opportunity to learn and play for Doc, so it's been great. Preseason is about building and getting ready for the regular season, and that's how we focus on doing it."
Q: You seem to take pride in trying to disrupt the initiator with ball pressure as an on-ball defender. How important is it for you to set the tone for this team?
Gary Trent Jr.: "Definitely, it's super important. That’s one of my roles—one of my jobs is to come in and help on the defensive end, and on the offensive end as well. The only way to show that is by showing improvement, so every night I’m out there competing at a high level on defense and trying to get as many stops as I can."
Q: As you continue to grow with your fit in the offense, what excites you about playing next to guys like Damian Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo?
Gary Trent Jr.: "Yeah, it’s second to none. Like you said, I get to play with two players who are in the top 75 in NBA history. Their approach to the game every night can only uplift everybody around them and put a certain focus on their mindset. It’s about rolling with that and figuring it out together."
Q: As someone who spaces the floor for players like that, what's most important for you to be a consistent shooter?
Gary Trent Jr.: "Really, just having open space and knowing where to go. Obviously, knowing where Giannis is going to score on the floor, knowing where Dame is going to score, and then being able to play off them."
Q: What's it been like playing for Doc Rivers so far? I know it hasn't been a long time, but how has it been?
Gary Trent Jr.: "It’s been amazing. I’ve known Doc since I was about 8 years old. I was in his championship locker rooms back in ‘08 with the Celtics as a kid, so seeing him now, it’s a full-circle moment. It’s been a blessing to play for him, to see the team showing improvement, and to watch each other get better every day."
Q: Do you have any goals for yourself this season? For example, P.J. Washington mentioned wanting to shoot 40 percent and make an all-defensive team. Do you have any benchmarks?
Gary Trent Jr.: "For sure. I feel like if we win a championship, everything I do will help us get there. That's my main focus. I know I’m a career 39-40 percent shooter, but I expect that of myself. My focus is to go out there, play at my peak, and try to win a ring. Everything else will take care of itself."