Bucks Veteran Will NOT Become Free Agent; Opts In

The Milwaukee Bucks were preparing for an expensive summer, having to negotiate new deals with two of their own free agents. Bobby Portis has done as expected, and opted out of his $4.5M deal, but we've just learned that guard Pat Connaughton has decided to opt IN, foregoing free agency.

Milwaukee Bucks guard Pat Connaughton is exercising his $5.7 million option to return for the 2022-2023 season, sources tell ESPN.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 22, 2022

Connaughton will return to the Bucks by accepting his $5.7M option for 2022-23. 

John Hollinger of The Athletic, and former NBA front office type, is shocked by the move, and says the Bucks guard could have gotten twice that amount on the free agent market. But he also points out that there could be a method to the madness: 

One possibility to explain Connaughton -- he and Bucks eligible to sign an extension next month starting as high as ~$12M a year and going as long as 4 years; so the opt-in could be part of a bigger play here.

— John Hollinger (@johnhollinger) June 22, 2022

Hollinger says the Bucks' sharpshooter is eligible to sign an extension next month of up to 4 years at about $12M a year. 

Photo Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports