No NBA official contacted for this story believes Connaughton will get anything close to the money Portis will garner this summer. Unlike Portis, they perceive Connaughton as an off-the-bench player, not a full-time starter. Yet, they were all in agreement that Connaughton merits a nice pay hike. Connaughton, who is being paid $5.33M this season, averaged 9.9 points during the regular season – the highest in his seven-year pro career – in 65 games, 19 as a starter. Connaughton also shot the ball well, connecting on 45.8 percent of his shots. His 39.5 percent 3-point shooting was the highest of his career. “He’s a really nice guy to bring off the bench,’’ an NBA general manager said of Connaughton. “I like him. He deserves a raise for what he’s done for them. “I’d think someone will pay him around $8 million.’’