Ranking the Milwaukee Bucks’ offseason moves – 2. Handing Pat Connaughton a long-term extension in NBA Free Agency
Pat Connaughton was not scheduled to hit free agency last offseason, but the Milwaukee Bucks handed him an extension regardless. Connaughton’s new deal is worth three years and will keep the guard in Milwaukee through the 2025-26 season if he elects to accept his player option in the final year. The 29-year-old has been a key piece for the Bucks over the past several seasons and inking him to a long-term extension before the season is a win.
With Connaughton set to make an average of $9.4 million per season following 2022-23, this is a great deal for the Bucks. After all, Connaughton just had the best season of his NBA career as the seven-year veteran put up career bests in several statistical categories and saw a bigger role than he ever had before. Considering that Connaughton is just 29 years old, he still has plenty of good basketball left to be played, and he will spend the next several years doing so in Milwaukee.
On the court, Connaughton is one of the most important reserves to this team, as he has turned himself into an incredibly reliable role player. Connaughton has fully embraced being Milwaukee’s Swiss Army Knife off the bench, as he has always done a bit of everything when he is on the court. Whether it is providing 3-point marksmanship, strengthening Milwaukee’s defense, or making the team more versatile by embracing the idea of playing several positions, Connaughton is willing to do whatever it takes to help the Bucks win basketball games. Inking him to this extension was an obvious decision by the front office, and it saved the team from having to worry about a looming free agency period for Connaughton next offseason.