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Boston Celtics: Signing Jabari Parker to a contract is an upside deal

By Justin Trombino

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 17: Jabari Parker #5 of the Atlanta Hawks dunks the ball during the first half of their game against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on December 17, 2019 in New York City. 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. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 17: Jabari Parker #5 of the Atlanta Hawks dunks the ball during the first half of their game against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on December 17, 2019 in New York City. 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. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images) /
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The wing position has been the weakest link for the Boston Celtics all season. In recognizing that, the Celtics have brought in Jabari Parker, the former second overall draft pick in 2014. Boston is hoping that Parker can provide what they’ve been missing most from the wing position this season; both size and scoring.

The Boston Celtics signed Parker to a two-year deal. But in order to clear enough space to do so, the Celtics had to waive Mo Wagner, who they just acquired at the NBA’s trading deadline. Although Parker has bounced around the last few years, the Celtics have made it clear that they believe there is plenty of potential for him to be successful in Boston.

The signing of Jabari Parker is low-risk but has the potential of being a high-reward for the Boston Celtics.

Parker spent the first four years of his career with the Milwaukee Bucks. He then had very brief stints with the Chicago Bulls, Atlanta Hawks, Washington Wizards, and most recently with the Sacramento Kings. Realizing that parting ways with Wagner wasn’t going to impact the team at all, the Celtics felt there was value with taking a chance on Parker, a former No. 2 overall draft pick.

At 6’8” and 245 lbs, Parker adds immediate size to the Celtics. He has exceptional ball-handling skills for a big man and is possibly the best scoring big man on the Celtics roster. Parker is only 26 years old and has averaged 14.8 points and 5.7 rebounds per game throughout his seven-year career. Parker gives the Celtics extended versatility and shooting to the offense, which the Celtics haven’t had much of from the wing position this season.

In proving so, Parker has scored over 12 points per game in every season of his career. His impressive and productive run came to an end in 2019 due to a shoulder injury and then being traded. As I mentioned earlier, despite Parker being drafted in 2014, he’s still only 26 years old. So it’s fair to say that there’s still plenty of time for the former No. 2 overall draft pick to reinsert his dominance for the Celtics.

The Celtics have a knack for not utilizing players properly in what has become known as this new era of “position-less basketball” that we’ve seen from time to time. Although Parker is 6’8”, he is better suited as a power forward than a center. The Celtics can be successful if they can find the right lineup to accommodate Parker as a power forward alongside a center.

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Parker has experience playing alongside other scoring big men. During his days with the Bucks, Parker shared the floor with Giannis Antetokounmpo and excelled in doing so. And most recently, Parker ran the floor with Harry Giles while he was with the Kings. It’s fair to say that the Celtics should still be able to use their normal center rotation with Parker involved in the lineup.

Despite Parker having the size to do so, he’s not a dominant defensive presence. Actually while diving into some film, I noticed that Parker has guard-like defensive instincts for a big man. He can be a gritty defender while guarding his man, and can even intercept and swat passes away. But Parker won’t be filling up the stat sheets with exciting blocks on a nightly basis or anything like that. If anything, he’ll hold his own and work the glass for boards.

All in all, this is a low-risk, high-reward type of signing for the Boston Celtics. Parker should come to Boston well-rested and ready to play, considering he’s only played in three games this season for the Kings. Parker won’t be put into the starting lineup, however, he will bolster the production of the bench unit.

Although he hasn’t spoken on it yet, this is a signing that Boston Celtics coach Brad Stevens should be excited about.

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