Milwaukee Bucks: Complete 2018 offseason grades
Adding Pat Connaughton
Wings are the most valuable commodity in the NBA as players that can step in and provide minutes at the 2 or 3. Whatever combination of shooting, playmaking, defending or positional versatility they bring to the table unlocks lineups for NBA head coaches.
More from Milwaukee Bucks
- NBA Rumors: 3 teams emerge as most-likely Giannis destinations
- 7 players the Milwaukee Bucks gave up on far too soon
- Report: Bucks, 76ers, and Suns all vying to land this championship coach
- 5 potential candidates for Bucks’ head coach
- NBA Rumors: Milwaukee may overhaul roster after early playoff exit
That is why it is not surprising to see the Milwaukee Bucks bring in Pat Connaughton on an inexpensive two-year deal for slightly more than his minimum contract. If he hits, then his contract will be a steal, and even if he simply maintains his level of play from last season, he can be part of the options for head coach Mike Budenholzer off the bench.
As mentioned already, Budenholzer has a track record of taking younger wings and developing them into the best versions of themselves. Connaughton could be the latest pupil of this program and develop into a strong reserve or spot starter. This bakes into this team’s long-term goal, which is to build less of a reliance on Eric Bledsoe in case a trade opportunity opens up midseason.
Connaughton is not elite in any aspect of his game, but last season he was available (appeared in all 86 games for the Portland Trail Blazers) and careful in his shot selection, taking 53 percent of his shots from deep. If his 3-point percentage can rise closer to 40 percent, then he will be a perfect fit alongside Antetokounmpo. It’s a low-upside, low-risk move for the Bucks.
Grade: B