The Milwaukee Bucks still more than likely haven't been able to fully process what happened in their Game 5 loss to the Indiana Pacers.
It stings. It will be painful for the next several months. As they aim to recover from such a devastating end, the team has to start looking ahead to the offseason and how they can improve. As they attempt to regroup, it's clear that one veteran will undoubtedly be on the trade block as soon as the festivities begin: Pat Connaughton.
Pat Connaughton may have played his last game with the Bucks
Connaughton was floated in trade rumors all season long, and rightfully so. He averaged 14.7 minutes per game, his fewest since his sophomore year in Portland in 2017-18. In turn, his production dipped, averaging 5.3 points, 2.7 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game, and he was only used as a break glass in case of emergency depth piece.
Taking home $9.4 million while primarily serving as depth is not good business.
The veteran wing has a player option worth the same amount for next season, and one can already pencil in that he will accept it. Once he does, the Milwaukee Bucks should be looking to move him in an effort to strengthen this roster, especially with the added flexibility that came with getting out of the second apron following the Kyle Kuzma trade.
Teams weren't eager to take on Connaughton last season, and understandably so. However, now that he will enter the final year of his deal, the thought of him being an expiring contract does make him all the more entertaining for opposing teams, especially if other pieces are attached. Trading him may be much easier than it has been in recent years.
As Milwaukee's first-round playoff series against the Indiana Pacers highlighted, youth and athleticism are all the rage in today's NBA. The Milwaukee Bucks must find ways to implement more of it into the rotation moving forward, and Connaughton, 32, simply does not help in that regard. However, he can be used to get more of it.
Nothing is set in stone yet, of course, but if this is indeed it, Connaughton had a terrific run with the Milwaukee Bucks franchise. Over the last seven years, he went from struggling veteran to playoff hero, helping the team secure its first championship in 50 years. No matter how things ultimately end, no one can take that away from him.
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