Amidst speculation that the Bulls are clearing cap room for a major move, multiple reports continue to link Chicago native Jabari Parker to the club.
One NBA executive who spoke to Gery Woelfel of The Racine Journal Times claimed that the Bulls are “most definitely” interested in Parker, while Vincent Goodwill of NBC Sports Chicago says he thinks “there’s some smoke” to rumors connecting the team to the Bucks‘ restricted free agent. Sources say Parker would like to be a Bull, Goodwill adds (Twitter link).
While it’s possible that the Bulls are gearing up to make a play for Parker, I’m not sure he’s an ideal match for their roster, given that he fits best at the power forward spot. Chicago has already made one big long-term commitment this month by matching Zach LaVine‘s offer sheet with Sacramento. For a team said to be prioritizing cap flexibility going forward, a lucrative offer sheet for Parker would be a surprise, which makes me wonder if the supposed mutual interest is stronger on Parker’s side than on the Bulls’ side.
As we wait to see how Parker’s market plays out, here are a few more notes and rumors from around the Eastern Conference:
- Within his latest article, Woelfel writes that the Bucks have been exploring possible trades for Matthew Dellavedova and John Henson, but haven’t had any success.
- The Nets and Kenneth Faried‘s representatives were set to talk this morning to see what the team’s plan is for Faried, per TNT’s David Aldridge (Twitter link). There have been no indications yet that Brooklyn plans to buy out Faried — if the team offers him a larger role than the one he had in Denver, he may be happy to stick with the Nets for 2018/19.
- In a mailbag focusing on the Magic‘s point guard situation, Josh Robbins of The Orlando Sentinel reiterates that the team’s interest in Isaiah Thomas was overstated, writing that the front office talked to Thomas’ camp, but never pursued a contract agreement.
- In order to succeed with the Wizards, newly-signed center Dwight Howard will have to be willing to make some sacrifices for the team, John Wall told Chase Hughes of NBC Sports Washington. “He has to buy into that and not try to say it’s all about him or try to do this for himself,” Wall said. “Just do it for the whole team and group and I think we will be fine.”
Parker can probably be had for $12-15 million. There’s no FA in this current class or next that offers more potential at that cost. Position shouldn’t matter to a team looking for upside. Take a swing. And if you miss, so be it.
I agree! Also, I think he can excel at SF. His 3pt% has improved quite a bit his last two years. The only question I have is his lateral quickness, can he effectively stick other SFs on the defensive end.
he’s too slow to be a SF
An offer in the $12-15MM range wouldn’t really square with the Bulls making moves like waiving Kilpatrick and withdrawing Nwaba’s QO. They could have easily had $12-15MM in cap room without those moves, so it seems like they’re working toward something that’ll require more space than that.
On a one year deal? Agreed. Parker probably wants a longer term deal though and with his history of injuries, he would be a huge risk. Unless all the teams end up using their cap space, I think Parker is going to hold out for a three or four year deal. Unless the one year is for a large amount (say something closer to $16-20m) then I don’t think he takes a prove-it type of deal.
Y’all need to stop sourcing Woeful. The guy is a hack. He has yet to scoop a move the Bucks have made, and his paper is hardly a beacon of Bucks news.
He was first to report Mike Budenholzer’s interest in the Bucks while Budenholzer was still coaching the Hawks.
To follow up on this: It’s important to us that we’re using reliable sources and not just uncritically passing along anything that pops up on Twitter like some outlets do. As such, I’m usually paying pretty close attention to who gets what wrong.
Off the top of my head, I don’t recall many major missteps from Woelfel, but if you can point to some specific ones, we’d take that into account going forward.
Sorry Luke, but David is spot on. Woeful got his nickname because of his “reporting”. He is wrong about 99% of the time and I’m being conservative.
Again, if you can provide some reports he’s been demonstrably “wrong” about, I’ll gladly take that into account going forward. Based on tonight’s other reports, it looks like his Jabari Parker info was accurate.
Yes. He is now reporting contract should be done Sunday. Bucks will not match it. Reported to be around 2 years for $40MM for Parker. Luke these guys don’t like writers, but they like their own writing.
If his report about Parker’s QO being withdrawn is wrong (and it seems like it is), that’s obviously a great example of a reason not to fully trust him in the future.
I Googled NBA rescinding qualifying offers late last night, and there was nothing on the web. Only change today is Yogi Ferrell is near deal with Dallas.
These guys don’t understand what stands one day may not the next. Like Cris Carter has ties to Kawhi, but only says Spurs are trying to trade him, will notify him when it’s close, and he only wants to be in LA, he doesn’t want to be anywhere on a one year rental. Carter reported this 2 days ago when he was with Kawhi’s agent in Las Vegas. Carter may report something different if it changes in the next weeks. These guys don’t know what speculation means. Everybody changes there mind. If reporters waited until after everything happened to report old news, they’d go out of business.
A good example of a player changing his mind is Kemba Walker. Earlier he had said he wanted to play for a winner. Now Mitch Kupchak has talked to Kemba, told him they want him to be their leader, and can offer him a max next summer. Kemba wants to stay and he’s no longer available.
My problem with posters is unfair trades. They want to offer the worst players on their teams for the best on others, and save millions. They don’t understand a player. they think has value and they are proud of him, may not have value. You don’t kn ow who’s trash talking and who is being serious.
Wall already running his mouth about his new teammate. Regardless, even if what he’s saying is spot on correct, that’s a conversation for him and Dwight..
This is just a small example of why Wall rubs his teammates the wrong way. It’s just my speculation, but I’m pretty sure that’s why the Wizards have had drawing any other stars to Washington, because of John Wall’s reputation as an outspoken, negative influence in the locker room..
He needs to learn to keep his mouth shut, and have these types of conversations with his teammates and to their faces, instead of his teammates having to read about this type of nonsense in the media..
Yep, I agree. He had similar issues w/ Beal. Also, the Wiz played their best when Wall was injured last year.
Agreed. But they need a secondary playmaker. The offense got stale when teams started clamping down on Beal and Beal obviously started to fatigue as the season went on. Honestly its a near miracle that Beal didn’t suffer any leg injuries during that stretch.
Agreed 100%, not a good look or start
I’ve always been a fan of Jabari, BUT I think Hood might be a better fit and less of an injury concern.
I actually think both Faried and Arthur fit the Nets, so they should contribute and they get the asset
If the Bulls sign Parker, and Milwaukee doesnt match for whatever reason, one of Carter jr or Markannen needs to come off the bench. You can use Markannen more for his scoring there, so I would start Carter over him
Dunn, Lavine, Hutchinson, Parker, Carter jr
Valentine, Markannen, Holiday, Portis, Blackeny off the bench…needs another wing. I dont think that’s bad, but I think there are probably better fits
Does anyone believe Jabari is better than Markkanen? In his one year Lauri is shown to be a better player than Jabari has shown in 4 injury plagued years, man if Chicago do that they will be the dumbest team ever.
I do like Wall but I don’t think is right what he said, specially when we compare his career to DH12, so far doesn’t even come close, though he is better now, but maybe he should talk less & ball more.