Jabari Parker looked out of place with the Milwaukee Bucks in 2017-18, playing in just 31 games after returning from his second torn ACL while starting just three of those games, his first campaign without being a regular starter.
However, Parker is reportedly looking to rejuvenate his young career with the upstart Chicago Bulls, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN:
Restricted free-agent forward Jabari Parker and the Chicago Bulls are progressing on an offer sheet deal, league sources told ESPN on Friday.
A deal could be finalized as soon as Sunday, league sources said.
Parker, a Chicago native, isn’t expected to have an offer sheet matched by the Milwaukee Bucks. The team has discussed allowing Parker to become an unrestricted free agent by pulling his qualifying offer, but that has yet to happen, league sources said.
If the two sides were to strike a deal, the Duke alum would be primarily used as a small forward, contrary to the power forward position he filled for the majority of his time with the Milwaukee Bucks, according to K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune:
Early plan is to start Jabari Parker at SF and use lineup of Kris Dunn, Zach LaVine, Jabari Parker, Lauri Markkanen and Robin Lopez/Wendell Carter Jr.
— K.C. Johnson (@KCJHoop) July 13, 2018
The fit seems mutual, as Parker reportedly wants to be in Chicago, according to Vincent Goodwill of NBC SportsChicago:
Definitely think there’s some smoke to Jabari Parker and the Bulls. Apparently he wants to be a Bull, according to sources
— Vincent Goodwill (@vgoodwill) July 13, 2018
Parker would fit right in with the likes of up-and-coming players Zach Lavine, Lauri Markannen, Bobby Portis, Kris Dunn, and rookie Wendell Carter Jr. age-wise, as the combo-forward is only 23 years old. However, with an already crowded frontcourt and the team’s reported desire to try Parker at the three, it will be interesting to see if Parker can adjust his game to fit with the Bulls.
