What to make of Pat Connaughton’s departure from the Milwaukee Bucks
Bucks reporter Jim Owczarski discusses the departure of longtime Milwaukee Bucks staple Pat Connaughton
Pat Connaughton, one of the key components of the NBA championship run in 2021 and a member of the Milwaukee Bucks for the past seven years, bid adieu to the city on social media after news that he’d been traded to the Charlotte Hornets.
“7 years ago, the Bucks took a chance on me, a 2nd round draft pick who was recently waived and told to go back to baseball,” Connaughton wrote on Instagram, referring to his departure from the Portland Trail Blazers and his status as a fourth-round draft pick by the Baltimore Orioles of Major League Baseball.
“Words can’t articulate what these years have meant to me, and pictures can’t capture all the moments … but that’s okay because this isn’t a goodbye, it’s a ‘see you around’… and a Thank You to everyone who helped make the last 7 years possible: Teammates, coaches, owners, management, staff, mentors, partners, volunteers, and Bucks fans everywhere.”
Connaughton included a series of photos from his Bucks tenure, including photos of him with the Larry O’Brien Trophy commemorating the championship; images with his young child, teammates and former coaches; plus even a couple shots from his experience in the NBA slam-dunk competition in 2020, a shot of him delivering a commencement address at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and glimpses of his real-estate and charity work.
Connaughton played in 440 regular-season games with the Bucks and 73 more in the playoffs. He averaged 6.8 points and 4.0 rebounds during his tenure, and he was a key figure off the bench for the 2020-21 team that won the NBA title. He shot 38% from three-point range for the Bucks in postseason games.
The Pat Connaughton Foundation also commemorated the change with its own rundown of accomplishments and a promise that it wasn’t closing up shop.
“While we’ll be suiting up for a new team next seasons, our time in Milwaukee is far from finished,” read the post on the Foundation’s account. “We’re excited to continue building on the momentum we’ve created in the area, and there’s plenty more to come. Stay connected with us through our website and social media for the latest updates.”