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Big Questions For Milwaukee Bucks In Wake Of Jabari Parker Injury

By Josh Cornelissen

Dec 20, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Jabari Parker (12) against the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena. The Bucks defeated the Suns 101-95. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 20, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Jabari Parker (12) against the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena. The Bucks defeated the Suns 101-95. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 8, 2016; Madison, WI, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Thon Maker (7) gets past a Dallas Mavericks defender at the Kohl Center. Milwaukee defeated Dallas 88-74. Mandatory Credit: Mary Langenfeld-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 8, 2016; Madison, WI, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Thon Maker (7) gets past a Dallas Mavericks defender at the Kohl Center. Milwaukee defeated Dallas 88-74. Mandatory Credit: Mary Langenfeld-USA TODAY Sports /

Who Replaces Jabari Parker In The Rotation?

Jabari Parker has started every game thus far this season except one, which he missed due to team discipline. He was in the midst of a breakout season, averaging 20.1 points, 6.2 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.0 steals per game.

After making just 13 three-pointers over the first 101 games of his career, Parker was stepping out with confidence this season, draining 65 in just 51 games thus far.

There is no easy replacement for Parker’s role and minutes on the roster, as there wouldn’t be for any team that loses one of its stars. Milwaukee is more limited than many by its collection of big men, as it has five players on the roster best deployed at the 5 and not the 4.

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    • Parker has spent the season backed up by Mirza Teletovic, and he is the only natural four remaining on the roster.

    The simplest option would be raising Teletovic to the starting lineup, and relying on a combination of Michael Beasley or Spencer Hawes to ineffectually fill in those minutes.

    Two other more creative options present themselves, however. The first is to give rookie Thon Maker increased minutes, perhaps even as a small-minute starter at the 4 to keep intact the remainder of Milwaukee’s rotation.

    While Maker is thin and raw, he has shown flashes in his limited minutes on the court. The Bucks could better see what they have in Maker and whether he is a 4 or a 5 long-term.

    The second option, mentioned by ESPN’s Kevin Pelton, would see Khris Middleton return to the starting lineup as a 3, not his usual shooting guard position.

    This would slide Giannis Antetokounmpo to the 4, something the All-Star is used to as head coach Jason Kidd often had Giannis defend 4s and Parker take the opponent’s small forward.

    If Kidd slots Middleton at his normal position at the 2, it would decrease minutes for either Tony Snell or Jason Terry. If he keeps Snell in the starting lineup and shifts down Antetokounmpo, it would mean limiting the minutes for Beasley or Teletovic.

    The Milwaukee coaching staff will need to decide which route maximizes their team’s value.

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