Much like All-Star wing Khris Middleton, there are several guys within the Milwaukee Bucks’ roster that have been identified as overpaid. One of these is reserve forward Pat Connaughton in an analysis of the team’s players and their overall value for the franchise.
Connaughton’s contributions to the Bucks often go unnoticed, but his versatility and tireless work ethic are essential to the team’s success. The veteran forward may not be a household name like Giannis Antetokounmpo or Damian Lillard, but he takes pride in being a Swiss army knife for the Bucks.
Connaughton, who is playing in his sixth season with the team, explained that he has learned to combine different play styles from former teammates, such as Wes Matthews’ lockdown defense and three-point shooting. Under the guidance of head coach Doc Rivers, he has also been able to showcase his playmaking abilities more.
Despite a slow start to the season, Connaughton has played a key role in the Bucks’ resurgence since the All-Star break. He attributed this turnaround to his growing understanding of Rivers’ game plan and his commitment to doing whatever it takes to help the team win.
Whether it’s knocking down open threes, drawing charges, or making timely passes, Connaughton is always ready to contribute. He may not crave the spotlight, but his impact on the Bucks’ success is undeniable. As the team continues to build chemistry under Rivers’ leadership, Connaughton’s versatility and team-first mentality will be crucial in their pursuit of an NBA championship.
Milwaukee Bucks’ Pat Connaughton Identified As One of the Team’s Overpaid Players
While his contribution to Milwaukee can’t be denied, there’s still the matter of how productive he is for the money being paid to him. This can be seen in an analysis done by Rudy LB for Behind the Buck Pass about the team’s overpaid players.
“Can Pat Connaughton be a key piece for the Milwaukee Bucks in a future championship run? Of course, he could! But what this team and this franchise need to figure out is how they can get the most production from him by the end of the year.
Again, looking ahead to the 2024-2025 season, some early predictions have come out on Connaughton’s numbers. It appears that for him, 10 points and five rebounds per game would be decent production. Also, just like Khris Middleton, if the Bucks are able to get 70-plus games out of Pat Connaughton, that would be a huge victory for the franchise,” LB wrote.
Connaughton’s steady presence on the Bucks roster is secured by a three-year, $28.27 million contract that runs through the 2025-26 season. The veteran forward will continue earning a consistent annual salary of $9.42 million, providing the team with his versatile skillset for the foreseeable future.
It remains to be seen whether Connaughton can exceed expectations in the coming season or shrink from the spotlight. Nevertheless, Milwaukee will need him to step up if they want to win another ring.
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