Jabari Parker and the Bucks may both have a better future if he signs somewhere else this summer, writes Tim Bontemps of The Washington Post. Parker will face an unpredictable market as a restricted free agent after averaging 11.9 points and 4.3 rebounds in 27 games since returning from an ACL tear.
The Bucks offered an extension in October worth about $54MM over three years, but Parker turned it down, hoping for a better deal on the open market. He realizes that his time in Milwaukee may be ending soon.
“Honestly, it’s uncertain,” he said. “I know that, just looking from afar, [the Bucks] will be fine. But I just have to see what’s going to happen with my future, and that’s uncertain. But I know for them, they’ll be fine regardless. They’ve been doing well.”
The Bucks have the option to match any offer Parker receives, but doing so would cut into their free agency plans for next summer, Bontemps adds. Milwaukee will have about $30MM in cap space in 2019, plus $19MM in expiring contracts for John Henson and Matthew Dellavedova that shouldn’t be hard to move if more room is needed.
There’s more news tonight out of Milwaukee:
- Before he moves onto free agency, Parker will focus on his first trip to the playoffs, relays Genaro C. Armas of The Associated Press. Milwaukee clinched a spot tonight, marking the first postseason in which Parker will be healthy enough to participate. “I’m just grateful to get to get the opportunity,” he said. “That’s what means the most [in] the NBA. It’s not the regular season. It’s the postseason, and that’s where you want to end up.”
- Malcolm Brogdon was a limited participant in practice today as he tries to bounce back from a partially torn his left quadricep tendon, tweets Matt Velazquez of The Journal Sentinel. Brogdon was projected to miss six to eight weeks when the injury was discovered in early February. Interim coach Joe Prunty said Brogdon is making progress, but there still isn’t a return date for him or Dellavedova, who is recovering from a grade 3 right ankle sprain.
- Vin Baker has been sober for nearly seven years and is enjoying his new role as an assistant coach for the Bucks, writes Tim Van Vooren of Fox 6 News in Milwaukee. Baker was added to the staff in January when Jason Kidd was ousted as head coach. “I couldn’t imagine, at the age of 46, a more perfect opportunity, a more perfect place to be given my story and given the fact that this is where it all started for me,” Baker said.
- Gery Woelfel offers a look inside the Bucks’ new arena on Woelfel’sPressBox. The facility is expected to be ready in time for the start of next season.
Jabari should go to the Pistons, they need a 3 who can score and make a 1-2 punch with Griffin.
Utah could be a nice spot for Parker. His defensive shortcomings would be mitigated by Gobert and he’d provide the extra spacing and offensive firepower the Jazz need to elevate to the next level. By waiving Sefolosha, Utah could offer a deal around 4 yrs / $65MM which should be enough to pry Jabari from the Bucks
If he said no to 3/54 (18 mil a season) he’s not going to say yes to 4/65 (16 mil a season) because you added a year.
Someone will overpay and give him closer to 4/80.
Even if he said yes, the Bucks would match that offer.
These articles are silly. Jabari is our starting forward for years to come along side giannis.
I really hope he stays. Too bad the Bucks missed out on nearly 2 growing years and now he may be gone. I hope you’re right.
If the Sixers miss out on LeBron, PG13, Kawhi, and Aaron Gordon, I’d be for going after Parker. His injuries are worrisome, with the Sixers basically back to full strength – Embiid’s eye shouldn’t be an issue moving forward.
Parker is gone next year. They can’t afford to keep him. Look at their cap figure WITHOUT HIM – 118M 2019, 105 in 2020, 103 2021. They honestly have to find a taker for Delly AND Henson. They’ll have to make-due with DJ Wilson and Thon Maker + whomever they draft… oh wait, they don’t have a draft pick b/c they traded it for Beldsoe in that overpay smh.
According to BasRef they are at $105k next year so would have abt $14mil to go before tax territory. For 2020 Bledsoe comes off. So they could go 3/54 with backloading & no extra taxing. Not many teams have a lot of room so that could be the market, and a good choice for Parker. Bucks made a fair offer, all they have to do now is wait & match.