Following a hard-fought second round series against the Boston Celtics, the Milwaukee Bucks are heading home earlier than they anticipated.
Although the offseason will not genuinely begin for quite some time, it is not too early to start and figure out what the front office must do this offseason. Jon Horst and company will have plenty on their plate with free agency, trades, and the draft in the next few months, and it will be fascinating to see how they manage things. While they will not be making a seismic move, in all likelihood, the Bucks could make several lesser moves to improve the roster and retool for another title run next season. With that being said, let us look at five moves they must make this coming offseason.
The Milwaukee Bucks need to re-sign Pat Connaughton this offseason
Pat Connaughton is among the Milwaukee Bucks that will have a player option this summer, and his decision will be a significant factor in their offseason plans.
Following the best season of his career, it would be tough to envision Connaughton accepting his $5.7 million player option for next season. The guard has earned himself a raise, and he will likely be seeking it this offseason. The Bucks should do what they must to retain Connaughton for the foreseeable future, as players like him do not grow on trees. Over these past four seasons, he has developed as a player to the point where he has transformed into an incredibly valuable piece on a championship team.
Every title-contending team needs a role player like Connaughton who is not afraid to do the dirty work nightly. He is a fantastic shooter, stellar defender, capable rebounding guard, and just a solid overall player. His impact was also well-documented on the stat sheet as he averaged 9.9 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 1.3 assists in a career-high 26 minutes per game. Perhaps Connaughton’s best contribution was his 3-point shooting, as he shot 39.5 percent on a career-high 5.7 attempts per game during the regular season. His impact is undeniable, and the Milwaukee Bucks know that.
The Bucks must do everything to keep him in Milwaukee for years to come, as losing him would be a devastating blow, and trying to replace him would be a near-insurmountable task.