Latest news with #PatConnaughton
Forbes
14-05-2025
- Sport
- Forbes
Milwaukee Bucks Player Options: Predicting Who Stays And Who Goes
The Milwaukee Bucks face a tricky road this offseason. Like any complicated puzzle, it's best approached one piece at a time—slowly shaping the picture before locking in the final moves. This series aims to do just that. We'll break things down piece by piece—unrestricted free agents, restricted free agents, player options, trade tools, and external targets—to help outline the Bucks' best path forward. Today, we start with the players who hold the keys to their own futures. Let's predict who stays, who goes, and who might be halfway out the door already. This one feels like a layup. Unless he decides to do the Bucks a massive favor, Pat Connaughton is almost certainly picking up the final year of his deal and riding out one last season in Milwaukee. There was a time when Connaughton was a valuable cog in the rotation. Back in 2021-22, he played 65 games (starting 19), averaged 9.9 points and 4.2 rebounds, and knocked down nearly 40 percent of his threes. That stretch earned him a three-year, $28 million extension. But those days are in the rearview mirror. His three-point percentage has fallen below 34 percent over the past three seasons, and his athleticism—once a calling card—hasn't aged well. His defensive switchability has taken a hit, and his impact has faded. If he were to test the market, Connaughton would likely be looking at veteran minimum offers, if anything at all. That gives him every reason to opt in and cash out one last time in Milwaukee. Kevin Porter Jr. looks like a player ready to bet on himself—and cash in. After a rocky run with the Clippers earlier in the season, where he averaged just 9.3 points on a sluggish 45.5 percent effective field goal percentage, he was traded to Milwaukee and immediately found new life. His scoring jumped to 11.7 points per game, his shooting touch returned (55.3 percent eFG), as his three-point and free-throw percentages climbed sharply. Porter's resurgence makes it likely he'll decline his modest $2.5 million player option in favor of something longer and more lucrative. The Bucks, who sparked this bounce-back, may try to keep him around using part of their $14.1 million Non-Taxpayer Mid-Level Exception—so long as the price doesn't spiral out of reach. A short-term deal—say two years with a player option—would give Porter both security and flexibility to re-enter free agency again while his value is trending up. Now we're in murkier waters. Bobby Portis is the toughest call of the bunch. His recent comments on a podcast hinted at a player leaning toward declining his option, and given his situation, that wouldn't be shocking. Portis appeared in just 49 games last season due to a 25-game suspension, but still averaged a solid 13.9 points and 8.4 rebounds. However, it's noteworthy that his scoring efficiency took a hit. He shot just 36.5 percent from deep—his lowest mark since joining Milwaukee—and his overall scoring efficiency slid back to pre-Bucks levels. The front office has to ask some tough questions: Can Portis thrive in a more prominent role if Brook Lopez walks in free agency? Or do they see his ceiling already capped, especially in today's NBA where stretch bigs are expected to protect the rim and move the ball quickly? Portis remains a fan favorite—his motor, grit, and energy are contagious—but his style doesn't always mesh with the modern game. He can be a ball-stopper on offense and a liability on defense without elite rim protection. If Portis is looking for a bigger payday or expanded role, the Bucks will need to decide whether he's part of the next core—or a piece they reluctantly let walk.
USA Today
31-03-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Pat Connaughton/Blake Wesley NBA Tracker: March 24-30
Pat Connaughton/Blake Wesley NBA Tracker: March 24-30 It wasn't the best week for the two current NBA players who went to Notre Dame. In fact, Pat Connaughton's Milwaukee Bucks and Blake Wesley's San Antonio Spurs went a collective 0-8. Connaughton didn't appear in every Bucks game, but he scored six points apiece March 26 against the Denver Nuggets and March 30 against the Atlanta Hawks. So if nothing else, his play of late has been consistent. He also averaged 4.5 rebounds and 2.5 assists for the week. Wesley saved perhaps his best game of the week for last March 30 against the Golden State Warriors. He matched his scoring high for the week with five points while also registering two rebounds, two assists and two steals. That gave him weekly averages of 4.0 points, 2.0 rebounds, 0.8 assists and 0.8 steals. With the regular season getting closer to its conclusion, both players have an opportunity to finish strong. The difference is Connaughton has the postseason to look forward to while Wesley does not. Contact/Follow us @IrishWireND on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Notre Dame news, notes and opinions. Follow Geoffrey on X: @gfclark89 More: Notre Dame guard, South Bend native J.R. Konieczny in transfer portal More: Former Notre Dame forward in transfer portal for second straight year More: Notre Dame forward Tae Davis entering transfer portal for second time
Yahoo
24-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Pat Connaughton/Blake Wesley NBA Tracker: March 17-23
Notre Dame's two current NBA representatives couldn't have had more different weeks. One made some noise, and the other barely made a blip on the radar. Blake Wesley played in four games for the San Antonio Spurs, the last two of which were impressive. He scored 10 points, most coming on a career-high three 3-pointers in a March 21 win over the struggling Philadelphia 76ers. Wesley then had eight points, four assists and three steals while defeating the Toronto Raptors on March 23. For the week, he averaged 7.8 points, 3.8 assists and 2.3 steals a game. Pat Connaughton appeared in two games for the Milwaukee Bucks but only registered stats for one. That came in a March 20 victory over a Los Angeles Lakers team that was missing both LeBron James and Luka Doncic. He scored two points to go with two rebounds, three assists and a steal in a little under seven minutes. Contact/Follow us @IrishWireND on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on to follow ongoing coverage of Notre Dame news, notes and opinions. Follow Geoffrey on X: More: Notre Dame forward Tae Davis entering transfer portal for second time More: Last March Madness meeting between Notre Dame and Stephen F. Austin More: Notre Dame men's basketball star Austin Carr's legend still lives on This article originally appeared on Fighting Irish Wire: Pat Connaughton/Blake Wesley NBA Tracker: March 17-23
USA Today
24-03-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Pat Connaughton/Blake Wesley NBA Tracker: March 17-23
Pat Connaughton/Blake Wesley NBA Tracker: March 17-23 Notre Dame's two current NBA representatives couldn't have had more different weeks. One made some noise, and the other barely made a blip on the radar. Blake Wesley played in four games for the San Antonio Spurs, the last two of which were impressive. He scored 10 points, most coming on a career-high three 3-pointers in a March 21 win over the struggling Philadelphia 76ers. Wesley then had eight points, four assists and three steals while defeating the Toronto Raptors on March 23. For the week, he averaged 7.8 points, 3.8 assists and 2.3 steals a game. Pat Connaughton appeared in two games for the Milwaukee Bucks but only registered stats for one. That came in a March 20 victory over a Los Angeles Lakers team that was missing both LeBron James and Luka Doncic. He scored two points to go with two rebounds, three assists and a steal in a little under seven minutes. Contact/Follow us @IrishWireND on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Notre Dame news, notes and opinions. Follow Geoffrey on X: @gfclark89 More: Notre Dame forward Tae Davis entering transfer portal for second time More: Last March Madness meeting between Notre Dame and Stephen F. Austin More: Notre Dame men's basketball star Austin Carr's legend still lives on
USA Today
17-03-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Pat Connaughton/Blake Wesley NBA Tracker: March 10-16
Pat Connaughton/Blake Wesley NBA Tracker: March 10-16 Blake Wesley had a busy week with the San Antonio Spurs, playing in three of their four games. His March 14 performance against the Charlotte Hornets was his best in a while as he scored 10 points, the first time he's reached double figures since Nov. 26 against the Utah Jazz. That helped him earn a week's averages of 4.3 points, 1.7 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 15.0 minutes. Pat Connaughton, Notre Dame's other active NBA representatives, came off the Milwaukee Bucks' injury report but didn't play until their final game of the week, which was a March 16 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder that aired on national TV. He made two free throws and collected an assist. So to recap, we have one player who had a productive game and another who finally saw game action again after not doing so for almost a month. It should be a fun final weeks of the regular season. Contact/Follow us @IrishWireND on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Notre Dame news, notes and opinions. Follow Geoffrey on X: @gfclark89 More: Notre Dame men's basketball star Austin Carr's legend still lives on More: What is next for Notre Dame men's basketball after losing in the ACC Tournament More: Micah Shrewsberry, Markus Burton speak after Notre Dame season ends
