Chicago Bulls: 3 takeaways from Jabari Parker signing
3. Bulls acquire another hometown product
Back in 2008, the Bulls defied the odds and wound up with the top overall pick in that year’s draft. With that pick, they selected Derrick Rose. The good news is Rose went on to win Rookie of the Year and eventually became the youngest player to win the Most Valuable Player award.
On the flip side of that story, Rose sustained a torn ACL in 2012, along with an assortment of other injuries, which all but robbed the former MVP of the athleticism that made him one of the most exciting players in the league.
Rose was eventually dealt to the New York Knicks in 2016 and is currently playing for the Minnesota Timberwolves. In the summer of 2016, the Bulls signed Dwyane Wade – who hails from Robbins, Illinois – to a two-year deal. Although Wade did have a few memorable moments during his time with the Bulls, the union lasted just one season and the two sides parted ways prior to the start of the 2017-18 campaign.
Fast forward to the present, the Bulls are hoping the third time will be the charm with Parker, who attended Simeon High School and helped lead them to four state championships. Additionally, Parker was a First Team All-American selection in his lone season at Duke before being taken with the second overall pick by the Bucks in the 2014 NBA Draft.
There have been reports that recently surfaced about Parker wanting to play for his hometown team.
Definitely think there's some smoke to Jabari Parker and the Bulls. Apparently he wants to be a Bull, according to sources
— Vincent Goodwill (@VinceGoodwill) July 13, 2018
When you take into consideration the annual salary the Bulls are willing to invest, it is obvious that the interest is mutual. Here’s to hoping this hometown signing works out better than the last one.