Fansided

NBA Free Agency 2018: 5 most overrated players

By Rucker Haringey

HOUSTON, TX - JANUARY 10: Chris Paul
HOUSTON, TX - JANUARY 10: Chris Paul /
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MILWAUKEE, WI – APRIL 22: Jabari Parker #12 of the Milwaukee Bucks celebrates after hitting a shot against the Boston Celtics during Game Four of Round One of the 2018 NBA Playoffs at the Bradley Center on April 22, 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 Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WI – APRIL 22: Jabari Parker #12 of the Milwaukee Bucks celebrates after hitting a shot against the Boston Celtics during Game Four of Round One of the 2018 NBA Playoffs at the Bradley Center on April 22, 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 Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

3. Jabari Parker

Fans of the Milwaukee Bucks forward will tell you that he’s a star when he’s healthy. That isn’t completely true. Parker is a terrific offensive player when his knee is 100 percent, but his lack of defensive acumen is always going to be a problem.

The market for Parker will be strong despite his defensive deficiencies. There aren’t many 6-foot-8 forwards who can take the ball to the basket and shoot it proficiently from 3. He shot over 38 percent from behind the line last season. Again, there’s no question he can score when he’s healthy.

What he can’t, or perhaps won’t do, is defend. When you watch him on tape you see a player who doesn’t look very interested on that end of the floor. Parker rarely gets down in a defensive stance and shows little instincts for stopping opponents. It’s hard to imagine him ever being anything other than a big negative on defense.

You also can’t eliminate the injury concern. Parker has suffered two torn ACLs in the last four years. It’s clearly an injury that could befall him again. It also means he isn’t quite the same athlete he was earlier in his career.

Despite the defensive and injury concerns, Parker is going to get a big offer sheet in restricted free agency. Paying more than $12 million per season with a player with such bust potential is going to be a huge gamble for some team. It’s the kind of contract that might look good for a little while, but will almost certainly turn out to be a negative value overall.

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