Despite being short-handed with their resources, the Milwaukee Bucks are worth monitoring to make a move heading to this 2023-24 season's trade deadline.
Although they are already boasting one of the deepest rosters and two of the league's brightest stars in Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard, the Bucks still have plenty of gaps and holes to fill in preparation for the latter part of the season. And with just one week left before the trade deadline, they are perhaps formulating a sneaky move that can help them improve their championship hunt.
The likeliest Buck to get traded: Pat
Should they make a trade approaching the Feb. 8 date, ESPN's Brian Windhorst picks Pat Connaughton as the likeliest Buck that Milwaukee can deal.
With Connaughton's $9 million salary, the Bucks can still deliver a swing and acquire an asset that can help them. Windy also argued that Milwaukee could also attach another salary-matching piece in hopes of delivering a solid and urgent trade.
"They're probably going to have to stand pat, but if they get aggressive, it will probably need to involve Connaughton and his $9 million salary -- perhaps combined with one of the lower-paid players on the roster," the report wrote.
Assessing Pat's trade value
By looking at the Bucks' roster, Connaugton truly stands as their most considerable trade chip. His $9 million salary is good enough to match and snag other teams' high-end players who can aid them in addressing their weaknesses like perimeter and wing defense.
It is also worth noting that Pat is experiencing dipping numbers this season. For 20.9 minutes of play in 44 games, he is only averaging 5.5 points. Even though he is draining 44.9 percent from the field, he is attempting the least number of shots in the last six years (4.3).
Amid his rough season, this doesn't change the fact that the Bucks hold a special regard towards the veteran. Since 2018, Connaughton has established himself as one of the team's most important glue guys who played a key role in their 2021 title triumph.
It is yet to be seen if the Bucks will move the needle before the trade deadline. But should a trade materialize around him for the sake of winning, his departure would be a tough pill to swallow within the franchise.
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