Bucks To Pursue Notable Buyout Candidate, After Losing Guard To Hand Surgery

This is not the news the Milwaukee Bucks were looking for as they prepare to head down the stretch and attempt to catch Miami and Chicago at the top of the Eastern Conference. Guard Pat Connaughton will be undergoing surgery to repair a fractured finger in his right hand tomorrow, and will not be back for close to two months. 

Milwaukee Bucks guard Pat Connaughton will undergo surgery to repair a fractured fourth metacarpal on his right hand Monday and is expected to return to the lineup before the end of the regular season, sources tell ESPN.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 13, 2022

NBA Insider Adrian Wojnarowski says the Bucks, now also without Donte DiVincenzo after a trade deadline deal, will be aggressively pursuing buyout candidate Goran Dragic. 

In the aftermath of the Donte DiVincenzo trade and Connaughton injury, the Bucks will be aggressive in pursuit of Goran Dragic once he enters the buyout market next week, sources said. There will be significant opportunity for Dragic to play a role on the defending champions.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 13, 2022

As Woj notes, Dragic, who sat out almost the entire first half of the season, estranged from the Toronto Raptors, could play a "significant" role with the defending champions if he chooses to go there. 

Connaughton had been averaging a career high in points, 10.4, and 3-point shooting, at 41%. His 27 minutes per game will be missed on a team short on guard depth already.

Photo Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports,  Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports