Bucks swingman Pat Connaughton has decided to exercise his player option for 2022/23, putting off free agency for another year, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN (Twitter link). Having opted in, Connaughton will assure himself of a $5,728,393 salary for next season.
Connaughton, 29, had the best season of his seven-year career in 2021/22, averaging 9.9 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game in 65 appearances (26.0 MPG). He also established new career highs in three-pointers per game (2.2) while knocking them down at a 39.5% clip. Connaughton’s emergence on the wing was one factor in the Bucks’ decision to trade Donte DiVincenzo at the 2022 deadline.
Connaughton’s option decision comes as a bit of a surprise, since he likely could’ve earned a raise if he had chosen to test the open market. John Hollinger of The Athletic (Twitter link) says he felt Connaughton was worth twice as much as his $5.7MM salary and got the sense that a number of teams agreed.
Now that his option has been exercised, Connaughton will be eligible to sign a contract extension for up to four years and approximately $59MM. As Hollinger notes in a follow-up tweet, it’s possible the veteran wing and the Bucks have already discussed the possibility of an extension and reached a mutual understanding contingent on Connaughton opting in.
Theoretically, the Bucks could commit to paying Connaughton the same amount over the next few seasons with an opt-in and extension as they would have if he’d opted out and signed a new free agent contract. Locking in a lower ’22/23 salary should benefit Milwaukee financially, with team salary projected to be well over the luxury tax line next season.
Connaughton had been the No. 20 player on our list of 2022’s top 50 free agents. If you enter our free agent prediction contest and select the Bucks as his destination, you’ll earn a free point.
A bargain for the Bucks.
Now they need another wing/bench wing that can come in and bring the 15 ppg that Grayson Allen was supposed to. When Jrue is out, the shooting guard needs to actually shoot and hit the shots!
You mean like Allen did so well in the Bulls series and game 1 of the second round?
No one expected him to come in and average 15. The off guard is always the 5th option in Milwaukee’s starting and closing lineup.
But I get it, everyone loves to hate Allen.
I’m pretty surprised, but I thought he would get more last time too. He does have a locked in role there, so I can see that being part of the decision, but hopefully he’ll still get paid
Its almost weird that (more than 1) players not just seem to like/want to be in Milwaukee, but are willing to do so for below market price tag (pending the potential extension for Pat, of course). First Portis, now Pat C.
Now they need to upgrade from the 3rd Uso twin/Allan combo, re-up Portis and actually develop a draft pick/young guy for a change.
It is weird but they do seem to have great chemistry and a intense fanbase.
PJ didn’t fall for it and I don’t think Portis will fall for it again unless they pay for it this time around.
Tucker just seems like he needed an excuse to leave, and came up with the whole disrespect thing to do it. He even said the bucks told him they’d match any offer. But whatever, he really showed them by going to Miami and not winning a title there.
I gotta think they get a good deal for both sides with Portis done. He faded a bit down the stretch this year, but he also had a really good year overall. He likes it there, the fans love him. He can just claim to be Giannis’ other brother, and Giannis will demand a trade if they don’t pony up.
Bingo. PJ didn’t want to be there so he convinced himself and also tons of fans that the Bucks disrespected him.
There’s nothing to “fall for” because the chemistry is that good, obviously. They won a title 11 months ago.
Bobby just bought a house in Milwaukee like two weeks ago so you’re likely gonna be way off with that hot take.