NBA Rumors: Bucks' Pat Connaughton Mentioned as Potential Deadline Trade Candidate

Pat Connaughton has been a member of the Milwaukee Bucks since the 2018-19 campaign, but that tenure could come to an end this season.

Michael Scotto of HoopsHype reported Thursday that executives around the league see Connaughton "as a potential trade candidate" to help the Bucks avoid being a second apron luxury tax team given their current position of approximately $6.5 million over that second apron.

Connaughton is making $9.4 million in salary this season ahead of his $9.4 million player option for the 2025-26 campaign.

By avoiding being a second apron luxury tax team, Milwaukee would be granted more flexibility for moves with the mid-level exception or trades involving multiple players.

Despite his history as an important role player for the Bucks, Connaughton hasn't been a significant contributor this season. He has appeared in just 21 of the team's 39 games and is averaging 15.7 minutes per night.

His 4.6 points per game total would be the lowest of his career since his second season in the league in 2016-17, and he is shooting just 28.8 percent from deep after connecting on 34.5 percent of his triples last season.

There is an emotional attachment to Connaughton in Milwaukee seeing how he helped lead the team to the championship in 2021 by appearing in 23 playoff games and hitting 38.9 percent from deep during that postseason run, but trading him would better position the Bucks moving forward.

Given that reality, it wouldn't be a surprise to see him traded ahead of the Feb. 6 deadline.