20 things to look forward to this NBA offseason

LAS VEGAS, NV - MARCH 10: Arizona forward Deandre Ayton (13) reacts to a call during the championship game of the mens Pac-12 Tournament between the USC Trojans and the Arizona Wildcats on March 10, 2018, at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, NV. (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

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MILWAUKEE, WI – APRIL 26: Jabari Parker #12 of the Milwaukee Bucks runs across the court in the first quarter against the Boston Celtics during Game Six of Round One of the 2018 NBA Playoffs at the Bradley Center on April 26, 2018 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Jabari Parker /

14. Will Jabari Parker stay in Milwaukee?

The Milwaukee Bucks may face a difficult decision with Jabari Parker, who’ll become a restricted free agent on July 1.

On one hand, the 2014 No. 2 overall pick averaged 20.1 points on 49.0 percent shooting and 6.2 rebounds in 33.9 minutes per game in 2016-17, seemingly giving Milwaukee a third All-Star-caliber player alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton. On the other, he has torn the ACL in his left knee twice in four NBA seasons, putting him in relatively uncharted territory.

If it was up to Antetokounmpo, the Bucks would retain Parker regardless.

“Jabari ain’t going nowhere,” Antetokounmpo told reporters after his team’s first-round playoff exit. “He’s going to be here and he’s going to be ready for next season. And we will be all excited and playing in the new arena. And everyone is going to be having fun.”

According to Steve Kyler of Basketball Insiders, the Bucks do plan to match if Parker receives an offer sheet in free agency, “but that doesn’t mean he’s long term yet.” They may retain him to trade him later rather than allowing him to walk and losing him for nothing.

The Bucks were reportedly willing to offer Parker a three-year extension worth $54 million ahead of the extension deadline last October, per ESPN.com’s Zach Lowe, although the two sides never came to a deal. While the Bucks can talk — err, leak — a big game about their willingness to match any offer sheet Parker receives, it bears watching whether another franchise attempts to call their bluff in July.

Next: 13. What will the Lakers do with Julius Randle?

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