NOVEMBER 24: The Bucks have officially re-signed Connaughton, according to the NBA’s transactions log.
NOVEMBER 21: The Bucks and Connaughton have adjusted their agreement and will now complete a three-year, $16MM deal, his representatives at Excel tell Wojnarowski (Twitter link).
The Early Bird/player option noted below likely played a part in this renegotiation, as Milwaukee would have had to use part of its mid-level exception to complete the deal that was initially reported. Now the Bucks will be able to use their Early Bird rights on Connaughton while using their mid-level on D.J. Augustin.
NOVEMBER 20: The Bucks have reached an agreement on a two-year deal for free agent guard Pat Connaughton, his agents inform ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski (Twitter links). According to Woj, the two-year contract will be worth $8.3MM with a player option in year two.
Connaughton, who will turn 28 in January, has been a regular rotation player off the bench for the Bucks in each of the last two seasons. He averaged 5.4 PPG, 4.2 RPG, and 1.6 APG with a .455/.331/.775 shooting line in 67 games (18.6 MPG) in 2019/20.
The Bucks held Early Bird rights on Connaughton, allowing them to re-sign him without dipping into their mid-level or another exception. However, players signed using Early Bird rights aren’t permitted to get a second-year option in their contracts, so it seems like something’s got to give there.
Milwaukee will continue to seek ways to upgrade its roster after its rumored sign-and-trade deal for Bogdan Bogdanovic fell apart earlier this week.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Guy plays with so much fire
Couldn’t he play with more?— Cut him loose, coach Bud!
Glad to see him back. Good role/guy off the bench player
Giannis’ buddy. The Bogdan move failed and now they are scrambling as player after player are signed around the league. Adding Jrue is not enough. How would you feel if you were divincenzo? Here one day, gone the next and now back on the team. He may start now if the Bucks don’t sign a 2 guard or trade him (again). His only motivation is to himself to improve and sign a better contract.
How about motivation to win. Winning at the top level is still fun isn’t it?
Maybe he’s thinking…I was almost the centerpiece of a trade for a really good player. How can anyone take it personal when being traded for a better player than themselves?
There’s still a chance he’s moved in a different trade but clearly the Bucks’ options are running out.