NBA Free Agency: 5(ish) best free agents still available

BOSTON, MA - MAY 13: Marcus Smart #36 of the Boston Celtics talks with the media after Game One of the Eastern Conference Finals of the 2018 NBA Playoffs against the Cleveland Cavaliers on May 13, 2018 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - MAY 13: Marcus Smart #36 of the Boston Celtics talks with the media after Game One of the Eastern Conference Finals of the 2018 NBA Playoffs against the Cleveland Cavaliers on May 13, 2018 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Jabari Parker #12 of the Milwaukee Bucks (Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
Jabari Parker #12 of the Milwaukee Bucks (Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /

. Forward. Milwaukee Bucks (Restricted). Jabari Parker. 2. player. 89

Jabari Parker is probably the least likely to find himself in a new uniform next season of any player on this list, and for a number of reasons.

One major factor is his injury history. The former No. 2 overall pick has missed essentially half of the last two seasons due to injuries, including most recently a torn-ACL in 2017 that he was still recovering from late in the 2018 season.

Still, at just 23, his potentially elite scoring ability, improvement as a three-point shooter, and versatility at 6-foot-8, 250 pounds, make him the kind of player that several teams could justify rolling the dice on. Parker is slated to make just under $7.4 million, the final year of his rookie deal 2018-19. To this point, no other teams have made serious pitches or progressed any further than preliminary, interest-gauging conversations. Additionally, according to recent reports, his agent’s talks with the Bucks front-office so far this offseason have gone well and both sides are optimistic.

The Bucks would be wise to lock him to help solidify their young core with Giannis Antetokounmpo’s free agency looming. At this point, that seems like the most likely case, but it’s the NBA. Nothing would surprise me.