The Milwaukee Bucks have their second of three player options coming back for the 2022-23 season. Pat Connaughton has exercised his player option worth $5.7 million, per Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.
Milwaukee Bucks guard Pat Connaughton is exercising his $5.7 million option to return for the 2022-2023 season, sources tell ESPN.
Earlier this week, Thanasis Antetokounmpo also exercised his player option to return to the Bucks this season.
Pat Connaughton Is a Vital Part of the Bucks Bench
Pat Connaughton has averages of 7.3 points and 4.3 rebounds in his last 35 NBA Playoff games
Pat Connaughton proved to be one of the most important players on the Milwaukee Bucks last season. With Bobby Portis thrust into starting duties for most of the season, Connaughton became the sixth man off of the bench. In 2021-22, he averaged a career-high 26.0 minutes per game. As a result, he averaged a career-high in many other statistical categories. This past season, Connaughton averaged 9.9 points while also shooting 45/40/83 from the floor. All except his free throw shooting percentage were career highs.
In addition to these numbers, Connaughton also averaged 4.2 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game. During the NBA Playoffs this year, Connaughton was one of the few bright spots on the Bucks roster during the series with the Boston Celtics. With Khris Middleton out, he averaged 10.3 points and 4.6 rebounds while shooting 52/43/100 from the floor.
Fans React to Pat Connaughton Picking Up His Player Option
A Milwaukee Bucks super fan (and minority owner), Packers QB Aaron Rodgers, saves Pat Connaughton from tumbling into the crowd
It is interesting that up until last season, many fans did not want Pat Connaughton back with the Milwaukee Bucks. When Milwaukee signed him to a three-year contract worth $16 million back in 2020, fans were beside themselves.
This offseason is a different story, though. After Connaughton averaged 9.2 points and 5.8 rebounds per game in the NBA Finals against the Phoenix Suns, it became apparent to everyone how important he was to the success of the team. After the news of his decision came today, fans shared positive reactions on social media.
Now that both Thanasis Antetokounmpo and Pat Connaughton have opted in for next season, the Milwaukee Bucks are waiting for Bobby Portis to make a decision on his player option. It was reported earlier this offseason that Portis was expected to sign a multi-year contract extension with the Bucks. However, he recently cleared his Twitter of all things Milwaukee Bucks, which has led some fans to worry that he may leave.
Of course, the Milwaukee Bucks are preparing for the NBA Draft tomorrow night. There was recently a report that the Bucks are one of three teams looking to trade with Cleveland for the 14th overall pick
Several teams have inquired about Cleveland’s 14th overall pick, including the Minnesota Timberwolves, Memphis Grizzlies, and Milwaukee Bucks, per @MikeAScotto.
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Robin Adams is the co-owner of Wisconsin Sports Heroics. He has been with the site for over two years, working his way up as a Bucks beat writer to covering all of Wisconsin's teams.
