Milwaukee Bucks: Weighing Bleacher Report’s odd Pat Connaughton trade

The lunacy regarding this proposed trade between the Milwaukee Bucks and Indiana Pacers

Any trade involving Connaughton would certainly be eye-opening for the Bucks, but this deal with the Pacers would be foolish. That is not a knock on Bitazde by any means, but rather the fact that Connaughton has been the most important reserve for this team for quite some time, and he is currently playing the most impressive basketball of his NBA career right now.

Throughout 20 games, Connaughton is averaging 12.1 points while shooting 49.4 percent from the floor and 42.5 percent from 3-point range. He has been outstanding off the bench, giving the Bucks an essential boost with his improved 3-point shot and crafty finishing inside. The guard’s defense and rebounding have also been huge. His 28.9 minutes per game this season are by far the most of his career, and trading away a player that is a perfect fit for this Milwaukee team for someone like Bitazde would be foolish.

Sure, Bitazde would give the Bucks some depth down low, but there would be a logjam at center when Lopez finally returns and Portis goes back to the bench. Meanwhile, the Bucks would have their share of struggles trying to replace everything that Connaughton brings to the table on both ends of the floor. Considering how important he is to this team, his $5.3 million annual salary is a steal, and the Bucks have no reason to trade him away in a one-for-one swap like this.