In the latest episode of The Lowe Post podcast, ESPN’s Zach Lowe and Brian Windhorst discuss Jabari Parker‘s move from Milwaukee to Chicago at length, suggesting that if Giannis Antetokounmpo badly wanted the Bucks to keep Parker, the team would have found a way to do it.
Despite Parker’s end-of-season dismissal of the idea that the Bucks ever offered an extension in the range of $18MM per year, both Lowe and Windhorst insist that was the case, though they acknowledge that a handful of scenarios were discussed, and Milwaukee’s multiyear offers from last fall may not have been fully guaranteed. In any case, Parker managed to exceed that annual salary on his new deal with the Bulls, albeit on a shorter-term contract.
Before he signed with the Bulls, Parker received interest from the Kings and the Nets, according to Windhorst, who suggests that Brooklyn kicked the tires on the veteran forward after lining up the Jeremy Lin trade with Atlanta. However, the Nets ultimately decided Parker’s price was too high and used their remaining cap room to take on unwanted contracts and draft picks in a deal with Denver, helping clear the path for Parker to land in Chicago.
Here’s more on Parker’s move back to his hometown:
- Parker “means more playing for the Bulls than he ever could anywhere else,” according to Jeremy Woo of SI.com, who suggests that the former No. 2 overall pick is already “the most recognizable face on the team.” The on-court fit may not be as strong as the optics, but the Bulls are at a stage in their rebuild where it makes sense to take a chance on Parker, says Woo.
- There’s reason to believe that Parker isn’t yet a finished product, since his development has been slowed by multiple knee injuries, writes K.C. Johnson of The Chicago Tribune. Still, Johnson acknowledges that the Bulls may have to “win some shootouts” next season, since Parker won’t improve a mediocre defense.
- According to Kevin O’Connor of The Ringer, it will be important for the Bulls to limit Robin Lopez‘s minutes in 2018/19. As O’Connor explains, Lopez isn’t part of the “future equation” in Chicago, and there are only so many minutes to go around in the team’s frontcourt. The less Lopez plays, the more minutes Parker could see at the four, which is probably his best position.
- Parker tells Nick Friedell of ESPN.com that Chicago native and former Bulls MVP Derrick Rose is “still a hero for a lot of people, including myself.” However, Rose’s time as a Bull didn’t end well, prompting Friedell to explore whether Parker could have more success with his hometown team.
im just curious to see how they use parker, Mak & WCJ
The only way I see it is either as a SF or sub PF, or a combination of both, surely he cannot take the place of either Markkanen or WCJ.
The Bulls want to win now; Lopez may start, with Markannon and Parker tried at the 3.
Spend for Lavine & Parker and tank? I doubt it.
Yeah but those guys don’t move the needle lol
They could get their joint rockin.
Above, I meant Markanon at the 4. Lopez could function like a volleyball setter, managing touches between players, & keeping things cool.
They are definitely players that move the needle, both in terms of perception and on court results.
With the addition of both players, it won’t “move the needle” enough to make the Bulls serious contenders in the East, but I see the additions of Parker and Carter Jr. significant for the Bulls’ rebuild. Then, add in a full, healthy season from LaVine, and more internal growth from their role players like Portis and Valentine, and you will see a much improved roster. Most importantly though, with more growth and further development from both “second-year” starters’ Markkanen and Dunn, this team should take a fairly sizeable step forward this year.
I could definitely see these young Bulls squeaking their way into the playoffs, and with a successful season of further development the Bulls should be primed to truly take their next steps toward becoming a contender come 2019. They’ll have an excellent young nucleus, another first rounder to add to the mix, and they’ll have plenty of cap space to add at least one max player and another role player or two to round out their roster..
The Bulls are set up for some future success, and they’ll definitely be a fun team to watch moving forward!!