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Milwaukee Bucks Wing Makes $9.4 Million Decision

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Sean Deveney | Last updated Jun 21, 2025 11:55 PM ET

Of all the decisions the Milwaukee Bucks will have to make in the coming weeks, the future of Pat Connaughton was not the one keeping the front office up at night. But Connaughton was undoubtedly a piece of the team's immediate financial puzzle, as he had a few days remaining to make a decision on the $9.4 million player option on his contract for 2025-26.

Considering that, at age 32, Connaughton had all but fallen out of the Bucks' rotation this season, playing 41 games and averaging 14.7 minutes--his fewest since 2018, his third year in the NBA--there was probably little out there on the free-agent market for him beyond a veteran's minimum or a ticket to Europe.

Picking up the $9.4 million option was a no-brainer. On Sunday, ESPN's Shams Charania reported that Connaughton would, in fact, pick up that option.

The question for the Bucks will be, what happens from here?

Even with the option for Connaughton, ESPN reported that the Bucks are still far enough below the luxury tax's first apron to be able to add a player with a full mid-level exception, worth more than $14 million.

Everything the Bucks do this offseason will be seen, of course, through the prism of Giannis Antetokounmpo and his situation with the team. As of now, there is no pressure to move Antetokounmpo in Milwaukee, and the presumption is that he will be back with the Bucks next season.

That could change. But until it does, the Bucks are expected to be aggressive with its mid-level money and perhaps on the trade market--which could include using Connaughton's salary as part of a package to upgrade the roster.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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