Fansided

NBA Free Agency 2018: 5 bold predictions

By Rucker Haringey

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - APRIL 25: Paul George #13 of the Oklahoma City Thunder brings the ball up court as Joe Ingles #2 of the Utah Jazz applies pressure during game 5 of the Western Conference playoffs at the Chesapeake Energy Arena on April 25, 2018 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. 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 J Pat Carter/Getty Images)
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - APRIL 25: Paul George #13 of the Oklahoma City Thunder brings the ball up court as Joe Ingles #2 of the Utah Jazz applies pressure during game 5 of the Western Conference playoffs at the Chesapeake Energy Arena on April 25, 2018 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. 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 J Pat Carter/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 5
Next
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
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 /

3. Jabari Parker will leave the Bucks

Similar to the situation with LaVine and the Bulls, Jabari Parker and the Bucks are going to have significantly different opinions about what the player is worth. Parker’s injury history will cause him to make a different choice than LaVine, though.

Instead of betting on himself and taking the qualifying offer, Parker will opt for some measure of long-term security. It’s possible that could come from the Bucks, but it doesn’t seem very likely. Parker doesn’t strike anyone as a Mike Budenholzer type player. That could be enough to get him a ticket out of Milwaukee.

There won’t be a ton of teams looking to throw big money at the accomplished scorer, but it’s only going to take one. One team out there is going to be willing to make a sizable bet on a 23-year-old forward who, when healthy, can be a reasonably efficient high-volume scorer.

The real key here is that Parker is still young enough that he can grow with a team’s young core. He isn’t some aging superstar that will help a new team win a few more games before his performance starts to decline. If he can stay on the floor, he could develop into another young building block.

As such, Parker is going to find at least on team who is willing to bet on his health. If he gets a multiyear offer that will pay him more than $14 million a year, the Bucks will let him walk. Bet on that happening this summer.

Home/NBA