Milwaukee Bucks: Pat Connaughton’s versatility makes him very valuable

Pat Connaughton has certainly found his niche with the Milwaukee Bucks over the last two seasons, thanks to the versatile skill-set he has to offer.

Throughout his two seasons with the Milwaukee Bucks, Pat Connaughton’s supporting contributions can often go undetected or even unappreciated.

Especially as the Bucks have turned over the wing position over the last two seasons, the team has taken a committee approach to fortify their starting core of Giannis Antetokounmpo, Eric Bledsoe, Brook Lopez, and Khris Middleton under this championship-contending window.

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Of course, that isn’t to say that Connaughton’s athletic feats such as converting show-stopping putback dunks out of thin air don’t go unnoticed or raise Bucks fans to their feet.

But as the fifth-year guard has continued to reinforce his incredible athletic prowess, the same could be said for establishing his skill-set over his time with the Bucks and the NBA at large.

It’s those same athletic qualities, as well as Connaughton’s strength and overall mobility, that make him such a versatile defender within the Bucks’ top-ranked defensive unit.

Connaughton’s ability to chase around opposing shooters through screens has been an increasing sight over his Bucks stint and the same goes for his effectiveness in that regard. And the 27-year-old’s recovery tracking around screens and extraordinary leaping ability has made him a shot blocking specialist from the 2-spot. Over the last two seasons, Connaughton has recorded 55 total blocks and is currently averaging a block per game by per-36 minute standards this 2019-20 season.

The Notre Dame product’s ability to guard multiple positions and track back to clean up on the glass, especially defensively, has also made him a popular option in the times the Bucks go to small ball lineups under head coach Mike Budenholzer.

That level of defensive versatility stands as an incredible asset to the Bucks and certainly falls in line with the defense-first culture that Budenholzer and his staff have instituted since arriving to Milwaukee nearly two years ago.

On the offensive end, Connaughton has stood as nothing more than an ancillary piece and his 3-point shooting inconsistencies have been a sticking point in his quest from gaining an even more prominent role within the Bucks’ rotation. Connaughton has shot 32.6 percent from three on 337 attempts during his time in Milwaukee.

His streaky shooting aside, Connaughton’s off-ball role fits well with the constant movement he brings to the floor, whether it’s providing smart cuts off the ball or throwing down those aforementioned putback slams. Per NBA.com/stats, Connaughton boasts the highest points per possession (1.67) on putback opportunities of any player in the league this season.

With all that said, Connaughton’s skills as a facilitator and tendencies to make smart passes with the ball in his hands helps to keep the ball moving in the Bucks’ offensive framework. The Massachusetts native has logged a 2.71 assist-to-turnover ratio throughout his Bucks stint, further reinforcing tertiary playmaking capabilities.

Connaughton’s jack of all trades, master of none ways have made him a useful piece on both ends of the floor for the Bucks and an interesting developmental figure over this era.

Considering where the season stands with it being suspended due to the coronavirus, Connaughton’s future in Milwaukee will become a more interesting topic of conversation over the coming weeks and months to come, given that he will be an unrestricted free agent.

In a very unheralded free agent class that will be subject to plenty of volatility as the NBA continues to deal with the financial fallout with this break, Connaughton’s timing, unlike his shot blocking prowess, isn’t the greatest in terms of any pay raise, under circumstances beyond his control. And whether any opposing team will be interested in Connaughton’s services will be fascinating to watch in the lead up to free agency opening up.

For now, Connaughton certainly has a home in Milwaukee and his time in the Cream City has been well spent as he’s been able to develop his versatile skill set over the last two years.