Pat Connaughton Reportedly Expected to Exercise $9.4M Bucks Contract Option
Pat Connaughton is reportedly running it back with the Milwaukee Bucks for an eighth season.
According to NBA insider Marc Stein, Connaughton is expected to exercise his $9.4 million contract option for the 2025-26 season, keeping him in Milwaukee for at least one more year. He would have been an unrestricted free agent had he declined the option, but instead will be on course to hit the open market next summer.
Stein noted that Connaughton has until June 24 to officially exercise the option.
Connaughton spent the first three seasons of his career with the Portland Trail Blazers but signed with the Bucks ahead of the 2018-19 season and has been in Milwaukee ever since.
He's spent much of his time with the Bucks coming off the bench, but has still been a vital part of the team's success. In 2021, he put up 9.2 points and 5.8 rebounds per game in the NBA Finals when Milwaukee beat the Phoenix Suns in six games.
After a few solid seasons, Connaughton signed a three-year, $28.5 million extension with Milwaukee in 2022.
Since signing the extension, Connaughton has seen his role decrease gradually. In 2024-25, he played just 14.7 minutes per game while averaging 5.3 points a night.
While last season didn't go the way he would have liked, Connaughton will have the chance to come back strong in 2025-26 before hitting free agency next offseason.
