1 player Bucks must trade in 2024 NBA offseason

Another year, another early postseason exit for the Milwaukee Bucks. Even with the addition of superstar point guard Damian Lillard to strengthen the elite duo of Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton, the Bucks failed to advance past the First Round of the NBA Playoffs for the second consecutive season despite being the higher seed again.

Milwaukee’s big three will stay together for at least another two seasons. But with secondary players failing to step up, Bucks fans will have to wonder if this team will capitalize again during Giannis’ championship window. With the offseason underway, the Milwaukee front office must find the right combination of players to fit in alongside the Greek Freak.

After his year’s failure, this Bucks team could look much different in the fall. Here is one player the Bucks must trade in the 2024 NBA offseason as they look to stay in championship contention.

Pat Connaughton 

Pat Connaughton’s value to the Milwaukee Bucks has long been a mystery. It seemed like the veteran would be the odd man out in this crowded backcourt offseason, but the Bucks decided to keep the wing following the three-year, $28.5 million contract extension he signed in the summer of 2022. He also looked like a possible trade candidate before the deadline this season.

Once a good defender, Connaughton’s defensive rating has steadily slipped, rising from 104 in 2019-20 to 113 last year to a career-worst 118 this season. Offensively, the 31-year-old’s production has not been good enough to make up for his defensive struggles. Connaughton shot just 34.5% from three this season — second-worst among Bucks players who played at least 200 minutes this season (only behind Giannis). His 5.6 points per contest were also the second-lowest since joining Milwaukee in 2018-19 and his 3.1 rebounds per game were his worst in a Bucks uniform.

In the playoffs, Connaughton’s production dropped even further. The veteran averaged just 4.5 PPG while shooting 3-11 (27.3%) from deep. Even for a guy who attempted a little over three treys per game in the regular season, Connaughton’s unwillingness to pull the trigger from deep during the postseason was noticeable — especially when he was playing 20 minutes per game.

With sharp-shooter Malik Beasley entering free agency along with Jae Crowder and Patrick Beverley, Milwaukee’s need for floor spacing around Giannis Antetokounmpo becomes even more significant. Connaughton has clearly lost a step defensively, and with his nominal impact on the offensive end of the floor, it is time for Milwaukee to move on from a player who has spent the last six years of his career in the Cream City.

Connaughton has a $9.4 million cap hit for 2024-25 — the sixth-largest of any current player on the Bucks roster — plus a player option for the 2025-26 season. And at age 31, moving that kind of contract will be tricky but it would get the Bucks closer to being under the luxury tax. Milwaukee would likely need to add a draft pick and possibly cash to move Connaughton for a younger player with a lower salary.

After another postseason disappointment, the Bucks must be aggressive this offseason to get the most out of Giannis Antetokounmpo’s championship window. This means shedding dead weight and adding quality role players — even if it means getting rid of notable names. With his large salary and declining play on the court, Pat Connaughton is one of those players who should be out the door sooner rather than later.