The Milwaukee Bucks have turned things around after a slow start to the season, but they remain a team to monitor ahead of this year’s trade deadline. Despite rumors earlier in the season, the Bucks are unlikely to make any major roster moves. This includes adding Jimmy Butler or moving on from Giannis Antetokounmpo. However, that does not mean the team is guaranteed to stand pat. Additionally, there is one particular player the Bucks could trade this season–veteran wing Pat Connaughton.
According to HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto, the one-time NBA champion is considered a potential trade candidate, per rival executives. Scotto mentions a trade could be smart for Milwaukee for cap relief.
“With the Milwaukee Bucks roughly $6.5 million over the second apron, rival executives who spoke with HoopsHype are monitoring Pat Connaughton as a potential trade candidate.”
“If Milwaukee is able to shed Connaughton’s $9.42 million salary, the Bucks could avoid being a second apron luxury tax team and open up more flexibility to improve the team, which would include access to the mid-level exception, being able to trade multiple players in the same deal, etc.”
If the Bucks are going to move Connaughton, they must act relatively quickly. This year’s NBA Trade Deadline is on February 6, which is just a few weeks away.
Milwaukee Bucks Veteran Named ‘Potential Trade Candidate’
Pat Connaughton Has Gradually Lost His Role in Milwaukee
Now in his seventh season with the Bucks, Connaughton is in the midst of his worst campaign with the team. On the year, he has appeared in 21 games, all off the bench. In those games, he is averaging 4.6 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 1.7 steals in 15.7 minutes. Additionally, despite being a sharpshooter, Connaughton is shooting just 40.2% from the field and 28.8% from beyond the arc. Only Delon Wright (26.1%) and Antetokounmpo (16%) are shooting worse than Connaughton on the Bucks.
What makes a Connaughton trade difficult for the Bucks is that he has a $9.4 million player option next season. At this rate, it seems likely he will accept this player option. For a team like Milwaukee, who is already over the second apron, hanging on to Connaughton is far from ideal. Whether a trade will come to fruition is something to monitor.
The Last Word
Despite starting the season 2-8, the Bucks are now 22-17 and own the No. 4 seed in the Eastern Conference. Additionally, they defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder to win the second annual NBA Cup. Antetokoumpo is putting together another MVP season, and Milwaukee is getting good minutes out of Damian Lillard. However, the Bucks still have ways to go before being considered legitimate title contenders again. They are statistically an average offensive team, though they rank as the ninth-best defensive team in the NBA. Additionally, as it stands, it is tough to put them ahead of teams like the Cleveland Cavaliers and Boston Celtics in the East alone. Nonetheless, their turnaround is impressive.
There is still a lot of basketball for the Bucks to play. Just how far they can continue their run is something to keep an eye on.
