NBA investigating Bucks over Gary Trent Jr. contract structure

The NBA's cap-circumvention investigation into Milwaukee and Gary Trent Jr. remains ongoing, with law firm Hecker Fink running the probe, Joe Vardon reports.

Investigators are examining whether Trent's near-minimum deals the past two offseasons were arranged with the Bucks to secure early Bird rights before this summer's four-year, $64 million contract. Both the Bucks and Trent's agency, Klutch Sports Group, are cooperating but have declined comment.

The case follows a similar probe into the Clippers over Kawhi Leonard, which ended with Los Angeles losing five first-round picks and fines for the team and player.

Unlike that case or the earlier Joe Smith precedent, no documentary evidence has reportedly surfaced so far, though the league does not need a paper trail to act if it decides no other explanation for the deals is reasonable.