Milwaukee Bucks’ Taylor Jenkins reveals the truth behind not playing Gary Trent Jr. so far this season

Gary Trent Jr. logged another DNP in the Milwaukee Bucks’ 132-125 home loss vs. the Chicago Bulls on Friday, further raising questions about the team’s puzzling decision to sign him to a four-year, $64 million contract this offseason.Milwaukee Bucks head coach Taylor Jenkins kept the same rotation pattern from their opening match against the Washington Wizards, prioritizing playing their younger players and the haul they received from the Giannis Antetokounmpo trade, including Tyler Herro, Jaime Jaquez, Kel’el Ware, and Kasparas Jakucionis.Taylor Jenkins hints at an egalitarian approach for the Milwaukee BucksOct 5, 2026; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks head coach Taylor Jenkins talks to guard Brayden Burries (0) in the fourth quarter against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn ImagesBefore the game against Chicago, Taylor Jenkins preached patience as he continues to figure out the best way to rotate the Milwaukee Bucks this season. Whether you’re a starter or a fringe player, he believes everyone will have an impact on the team one way or another as the season rolls on.“So, all these guys are gonna have an impact. I told ‘em they’re all gonna have an impact whether that’s now, it’s later in the season. I hope they’re motivated, they’re fueled, they know that they can be in this rotation, but they understand that there’s a process to this,” Jenkins told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. “All the work they’re doing, even when they’re out of the rotation is great. So those guys are going to stay ready. So, difficult decision.”Milwaukee Bucks’ Gary Trent Jr. situation is “worse” than the Clippers deal, claims anonymous execDuring a recent episode of The Hoop Collective podcast, ESPN analyst Brian Windhorst claims that the Milwaukee Bucks’ questionable deal with Gary Trent Jr. is worse than the Los Angeles Clippers’ violation involving Kawhi Leonard.“An executive said to me that they think, and I want to be clear, I want to be cautious, but an executive said to me that if this is proven to be true, then this is actually more egregious than the Clippers’ deal,” Windhorst stated. “When you think of it, the Clippers didn’t get any salary cap relief for their salary cap circumvention. They were just funneling their max player more money.”More Milwaukee Bucks news from Wisconsin Sports HeroicsMilwaukee Bucks face further scrutiny after giving Gary Trent Jr. a DNP vs. Washington WizardsMilwaukee Bucks’ Myles Turner sends clear message to the team after first loss vs. Washington WizardsGary Trent Jr. gives Bucks fans another reason to joke about $64 million deal