Grading Pat Connaughton’s three-year extension with Milwaukee Bucks
By Dalton Sell
Aside from the surprise Joe Ingles signing, the Milwaukee Bucks have prioritized taking care of their own players in 2022 NBA free agency.
Bobby Portis, Jevon Carter, Wesley Matthews, and Serge Ibaka all received new deals, and another name can now be added to the list in Pat Connaughton. According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, Connaughton has agreed to a new three-year extension with the Bucks. This new deal will keep him with the team through the 2025-26 season, helping Milwaukee lock in a vital contributor for the foreseeable future. With that being said, let us break down the decision and give it a grade.
The financial aspect of Pat Connaughton’s extension with the Milwaukee Bucks
As reported by Wojnarowski, Pat Connaughton’s new deal is worth $28.5 million over three years and contains a player option in the final year. That extension will kick in after next season, as he is set to play on a $5.7 million deal this coming season after accepting his player option for 2022-23. As noted by The Athletic’s John Hollinger, setting the contract up like this is a way for the Bucks to save some tax money, which is always a big bonus for a team without much financial flexibility.
Financially, this is a fantastic deal for the Bucks, given how important Connaughton has proven to be over the past several years. The veteran guard has been one of the most reliable reserves in the business throughout the last two seasons, so locking him up for an average of $9.5 million on his next deal is an incredible value. Connaughton certainly could have received more elsewhere, but it is clear that his desire to continue playing in Milwaukee was a priority over financial compensation. Connaughton is currently coming off the best season of his NBA career and was still willing to take a discount to stay with the Bucks, which showcases his desire to help this team contend.
With this new deal, Connaughton’s total contract is now worth four years and $34 million, which is a steal for the Milwaukee Bucks, plain and simple.