Sometimes, the easiest decisions can be the toughest ones to make, and Milwaukee could soon feel that.
After losing in the first round for the third straight year, the Bucks have been in the midst of many offseason rumors, mostly centered around Giannis Antetokounmpo. Even with the noise about potentially dealing their superstar dying down, the attention has simply shifted to how the Bucks build a contending team around him again.
While Milwaukee hasn’t been afraid to make big moves to get closer to a title, the Bucks haven’t seemed to hit the right buttons in recent years. With the Damian Lillard trade not working out as intended, and Kyle Kuzma’s disastrous half-season that sent Khris Middleton out the door, the Bucks have some work to do over the next few weeks.
Considering Milwaukee’s status, it will almost certainly be active in the trade market, and Bleacher Report’s Dan Favale believes that Pat Connaughton could be the Buck most likely to get dealt. While he was a piece of the 2021 title team, Connaughton’s role in Milwaukee has dwindled in recent seasons.
With Connaughton set to make $9.4 million next season, sending him out could leave the Bucks with more flexibility moving forward. Last season, he averaged 5.3 points and 2.7 rebounds while playing in only 41 games.
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At this stage of his career, Connaughton won’t be much help to whatever team he’s on, but his $9.4 million expiring deal could be of value to a team looking to match salaries in another deal down the line.
