Milwaukee Bucks: Jabari Parker G League assignment is exciting news

The Milwaukee Bucks assigned Jabari Parker to the Wisconsin Herd for extra practice time this week — exciting news as he nears his return.

The Milwaukee Bucks have been patiently overseeing the rehab of injured forward Jabari Parker, careful not to rush his return but rather to take the long view and give the 22-year-old time to fully recover.

Parker tore the ACL in his left knee on Feb. 8, the second time in three seasons he suffered a major knee injury. He was in the midst of a career year, averaging 20.1 points and 6.2 rebounds per game over 51 appearances. After losing much of his rookie season to injury, Parker has played in just 152 games over his career — 21st among players drafted in 2014.

Milwaukee announced at the beginning of this week that Parker had been assigned to the Wisconsin Herd. This wasn’t to appear in games, but rather to allow him to take advantage of extra practice time. The Bucks’ game schedule didn’t allow for consistent practicing this week, so Milwaukee looked elsewhere.

The Herd were in Milwaukee to practice Monday and Tuesday, and Parker joined them. He participated in some 5-on-5 action as part of that practice, a step forward in his recovery. Once the Herd left town, Milwaukee optioned him back to the Bucks.

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The significance of the assignment is twofold. First, Parker participating in 5-on-5 drills indicates an increase in his activity, a sign that Parker is progressing surely toward recovery. Secondly, the fact Milwaukee felt a need to add in two days of practice this week highlights a player who wants to get on the court as much as possible — and back in a game as soon as possible.

The team isn’t rushing things, and they shouldn’t. Looking around the league at Memphis, at New Orleans, at Charlotte and examples of players coming back too soon and immediately missing time, it’s clear that patience results in the best chance of never needing to miss time for another injury.

Milwaukee has said it expects Parker back by the All-Star Break, in early February. That’s been consistent since he first had the surgery on Feb. 14. The consistency of the date, when paired with the ramping up of his practice, shows a team being patient, rather than rushing him towards a too-early return or needing to push back the date.

In other words, the fact that his expected return date hasn’t changed means this team isn’t moving the date around to the potential detriment of Parker and the team. Instead he continues to rehab and practice and prepare for a debut in early February. His increased practice activity suggests he is on track with that rehab, if not ahead of schedule.

Milwaukee has no reason to rush him back. They are a much better team with him in the rotation, without a doubt, but they also don’t need him back right now. The Bucks are 16-13, a half-game out of fourth in the Eastern Conference, and just netted a big win over the Cleveland Cavaliers.

With the addition of Eric Bledsoe and a healthy Khris Middleton, the Bucks have a diverse and talented scoring force that they didn’t have when Parker was healthy. He was required to be the offensive engine when Giannis Antetokounmpo wasn’t open, and he delivered. That ability will be useful, but it isn’t sinking the Bucks either.

No one is saying they don’t want Jabari Parker, though, because he is a very talented piece. His scoring portfolio is arguably the best on the team, able to score from anywhere in the half-court. His speed and athleticism, combined with his size and handle, allow him to attack the rim without being intimidated.

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Parker is an underrated passer as well, finding open teammates. In transition he is a monster, flying down the court ready to throw back the slam. While there are question marks with his shooting and defense, he’s also young and on the right path.

Milwaukee needs scoring punch off the bench, especially since head coach Jason Kidd likes his three current stars — Antetokounmpo, Middleton and Bledsoe — to play together whenever possible. While he does currently stagger them, a healthy Parker gives this team a four-headed offensive attack.

He will also be key to the ultra-small lineups that Kidd is beginning to experiment with. Giannis Antetokounmpo is now beginning to play minutes at the 5, and they are paying off. Parker would slide perfectly into such a lineup at the 4, alongside the three stars and either Tony Snell or Malcolm Brogdon.

It is possible that the return date for Jabari Parker could be moved up, but for now the estimation has stayed the same. The Bucks and their fans should expect Parker to come back around the All-Star break. The key will be finding him a new role that fits his gifts and the current construction of the Bucks.

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Milwaukee doesn’t need Jabari Parker to be good. But to truly be great, they need him back healthy. His practicing this week highlights just one more step forward to a full recovery.