Trent Jr. Pay Highlights a Cautious, Questionable 2026 Free-Agent Summer

Sports Illustrated flags a cautious 2026 free-agent market and highlights several head-scratching signings. Milwaukee gave Gary Trent Jr. four years, $64 million after a down season (8.1 ppg, under 40% FG, 36% from three, and weak defense), a contract many found hard to justify. Houston tabbed Marcus Smart for two years, $13 million, a defensively minded fit that may underwhelm offensively. Detroit signed Kevin Huerter for three years, $27 million, a player whose shooting isn’t reliably elite, and Chicago handed Norman Powell two years, $45 million to bolster scoring for a youth-focused roster. The piece argues these deals reflect an era of risk-averse spending that may age poorly even as teams aim for smarter, shorter guarantees, all amid lingering talk of LeBron’s next move.