Last summer, the Milwaukee Bucks traded long-time fan favorite Pat Connaughton to Charlotte in a cap-clearing move in order to sign Myles Turner. That became necessary once Connaughton exercised his $9.4 million player option for the 2025-26 season, the final year of the three-year deal he signed with the Bucks in 2022.
The 11-year veteran remained with the Hornets right up until the trade deadline but was waived on Wednesday to make roster space for other moves.
Connaughton is now a free agent available to sign anywhere for the remainder of the season.
Former Bucks “glue guy” looking for a place to stick in year 11
While the Notre Dame product is no longer the impact rotation piece he was on the Bucks’ title team, if there’s one thing he can still do, it’s shoot. Although Connaughton barely played for the Hornets, he still made threes at a 40.7% clip. That only covers 27 attempts, but shooting the basketball is something he has done decently throughout his career. Connaughton owns a career 35.7% three-point percentage on 1,940 career attempts. That’s not amazing, but it’s serviceable.
The 6-foot-5 wing had his best years as a shooter for the Bucks in 2020-21 and ’21-22, but he did a lot more than put the ball in the hoop. In his prime, Connaughton was a do-it-all sparkplug who could rebound, play pesky defense, and, of course, knock down open shots. During the title year and the season after, Connaughton shot 38.5% beyond the arc on nearly five threes a game.
Oct 5, 2025; North Charleston, South Carolina, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard Pat Connaughton (21) shoots under the basket in the fourth quarter at North Charleston Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Arthur Ellis-Imagn Images
He also averaged 8.3 points and 4.5 rebounds while playing 24 minutes a night. Not only a capable contributor, Connaughton was a key piece of the culture on the roster that won it all in 2021.
Bucks fans won’t forget his denouement in Milwaukee, a 43-point deluge in last year’s regular season finale versus the Pistons.
Now 33, he could still offer a veteran presence for a team in need of leadership on the bench and in the locker room, as well as a savvy defender and reliable marksman on corner threes.
For More Great Wisconsin Content
Follow me on X at @ezsniper14 and follow us@WiSportsHeroics for more great content. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in Wisconsin sports,click here!