Should the Chicago Bulls go after Jabari Parker in free agency?
By Luke Askew
The Chicago Bulls have a very important offseason coming up as they continue making strides in the rebuilding process. Should the Bulls be eyeing Jabari Parker?
Jabari Parker is going to be a highly sought-after restricted free agent this summer. Parker has made his frustrations with his current role in Milwaukee public with an array of comments stemming from playing time, to fit, to whether or note he’s on the coaches good side. So regardless of what happens this summer, it looks like Parker won’t be back in Milwaukee at the start of the 2018-2019 season.
Enter Chicago.
Jabari has had a down year since returning from his second major knee injury, only averaging 13 points and 5 rebounds in his 31 games played. But let’s not forget, last season before Parker’s injury, he was averaging over 20 points and 6 rebounds per game. He was also shooting the three ball at a fairly decent 36 percent clip. This season, his three-point percentage has even bumped up to 38 percent.
Concerns
There are multiple concerns regarding Jabari Parker, as many of you may know. His injury history is startling, to say the least. What if he’s plagued by these injuries for the rest of his career and ends up being a waste of salary for years to come?
This is the type of decision that could surely throw a wrinkle in the Bulls’ rebuild if it goes wrong.
From what I’ve read, most Bulls fans want Chicago to stay as far away from Parker as possible. It sounds like they don’t want two guys (LaVine being the other) under heavy contracts that also have knee issues. That’s completely understandable.
If a max contract is what it takes to sign Jabari, then maybe the Bulls should stay clear. That’s a lot of money.
But what about the upside?
Potential
In my opinion, the biggest factor in this decision will be how the Bulls draft. The Chicago Bulls have a ton of cap space and a need for high-upside scoring wings.
Let’s say they draft a guy like Mikal Bridges, Michael Porter Jr., or Luka Doncic – then I’d say stay away from Jabari and hold onto the money. But what if they draft a rim-protecting big man to play the five – maybe Mo Bamba or Jaren Jackson Jr.? Well, that’s where things get interesting.
The Bulls NEED a wing to compete in this league. That’s their biggest hole right now. I know Parker has primarily been playing the four in Milwaukee but I’m not convinced he couldn’t play the three depending on the roster that’s around him – and I think the Bulls have an ideal roster for Jabari to fit in at the three.
In today’s positionless NBA, a potential lineup of Kris Dunn, Zach LaVine, Jabari Parker, Lauri Markkanen, and Mo Bamba would be absolutely lethal. I know this might just be a pipe dream – a lot of things would have to fall the Bulls way for this to happen – but it’s worth thinking about.
Parker is only 6’8″ (a little undersized for the four, anyway) and with the floor spacing that Markkanen provides, it would give Jabari a lot of room to rim-run and play in the paint as a slasher. Also, Parker’s consistently improving three-point shot makes him an interesting prospect at the three.
Final thoughts
I understand that a max contract is probably too much to offer Parker – that’s a dangerous game to play for the Bulls at this stage in their rebuild. But Parker is a Chicago kid. Maybe he would come to the Bulls for a little less money? I’m purely speculating but maybe he would want to play for the Bulls badly enough to take a pay cut and attempt to prove that his health isn’t an issue for a few years?
Let’s also not forget that Parker just turned 23-years-old in March and was the former #2 overall pick back in 2014.
If he stays healthy, he could be an absolute steal and I’m not sure I’m ready to write off a 23-year-old because of a couple of injuries.
Next: Chicago Bulls: end of season roundtable discussion
If the Bulls end up drafting a big man with their first overall pick, then I’d say throw some money Jabari’s way and see what he thinks. I mean, why not at least try?