Report: Bucks' Connaughton picks up $9.4M player option
Milwaukee Bucks guard Pat Connaughton is exercising his 2025-26 player option worth $9.4 million, sources told ESPN's Shams Charania.
Connaughton was one of three Bucks players with player options for next season, joining Bobby Portis and Kevin Porter Jr. Both Portis and Porter have yet to make a decision.
The 32-year-old Connaughton is one of Milwaukee's longest tenured players: The veteran wing has been with the franchise since the 2018-19 campaign, tying him with Brook Lopez, who could depart as a free agent this summer. Only Giannis Antetokounmpo, whose own future in Milwaukee has been in doubt recently, has been on the Bucks longer.
Connaughton averaged 5.3 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 1.7 assists for the Bucks last season but fell in the rotation's pecking order, dropping to 14.7 minutes per contest after averaging 22.1 in 2023-24. However, he saved his best effort for the final game of the regular season, scoring a career-high 43 points on 16-of-29 shooting (5-of-12 from deep) with 11 rebounds, five assists, and two steals in a 140-133 overtime win against the Detroit Pistons.
Picking up his option doesn't guarantee the Notre Dame product will return to Milwaukee, however. With his contract now locked in for 2025-26, the Bucks can now use his salary in potential trades as they look to retool their roster with star guard Damian Lillard expected to miss significant time next season due to a torn Achilles.