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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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Feb 8, 2017; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Jabari Parker (12) lays on the court surrounded by teammates after being injured during the third quarter against the Miami Heat at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 8, 2017; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Jabari Parker (12) lays on the court surrounded by teammates after being injured during the third quarter against the Miami Heat at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports /

How Do The Bucks And Parker Move Forward?

This is a topic that will require more in depth analysis, but as a brief overview there are four major questions that need to be answered by the organization and Jabari Parker moving forward.

First, the team has to decide its priorities in the draft. With the breakout seasons that Antetokounmpo and Parker were having, their timetable for relevance was being swiftly accelerated. Now the organization has to decide if they are drafting for now or the future.

Often that difference is irrelevant, as the best players often fit the mold for both plans. But the Bucks have seen success the last few seasons taking players with a long-range path to meeting their potential, including Antetokounmpo and Thon Maker.

If another long-range prospect is available to them, whether that’s with the ninth or 15th pick, then Milwaukee has to decide if they are adding a piece for next season or a piece to slot in three or four years from now.

Secondly, the team has to decide if it’s replacing Parker’s fit in the rotation. If the team could look into a crystal ball and find out that Parker will return fully healthy and ready to continue his track upwards, then they wouldn’t need to draft or sign a replacement.

But the uncertainty makes things more difficult.

Third, Milwaukee and Parker will be able to engage in extension discussions starting in July. If the former Duke forward has finished out this season healthy and playing at the same level, a max or near-max contract was heading his way.

But with his second ACL tear in three seasons, his value to both the Bucks and on the open market is called into question.

Should Parker push for a max contract even with his injury concerns? That’s the best for his future, but most likely unrealistic.

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Can the team afford to risk that much money — or conversely, risk Parker not signing an extension and then signing an offer sheet with another team for two seasons, such as Chandler Parsons did to the Houston Rockets?

Finally, the team and Parker have to decide when he should return. A 12-month timetable puts his return around the All-Star break of next season.

Much of that decision-making process will depend on Milwaukee’s place in the standings, although that may be a mistaken means of evaluation. Ideally the team and player will maximize his long-term health and give him the maximum amount of time to recover.

Joel Embiid is a shining example that patience with injuries can pay off.

In the end, this ACL tear has the potential to derail both Milwaukee’s season and Parker’s career. The hope for both sides is that he can return from this injury much as he did his first and continue his trajectory towards being a future All-Star.

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If so, the Bucks can get back on the track towards championship contention.

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