Jabari Parker, the former No. 2 pick of the 2014 NBA Draft, has blossomed in his third season with the Milwaukee Bucks and was averaging 20.1 points, 6.2 rebounds, 2.8 assists on 49% shooting and 36.5% shooting from three before tearing his ACL for the second time this February.
Parker is one of a slew of highly talented young players for a Bucks franchise on the rise and has All-Star potential as a great second option to superstar in the making Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Because Parker is entering the final year of his rookie contract, he is due for an extension and because of his play and upside he is reportedly seeking a max level extension.
Here is what Gary Woefel said of the situation:
“Multiple sources claim Parker will be seeking a contract similar to the one he expected to receive prior to his latest injury – a max contract of five years.”
With Parker’s age this would typically be a no-brainer for any franchise, but with his serious injury and the fact that he is recovering from his second torn ACL injury before the age of 25, the Bucks understandably should have some reservations.
A max extension would be $148 million over five seasons for him, which is far too much to pay a player who just started to flash in his third season and who is currently recovering from a serious ACL injury.
While Parker may want an extension now, the Bucks may be better suited to wait and see how he recovers and performs this season and allow him to enter restricted free agency next summer with almost no risk.
Here’s to hoping Parker can recover and continue to progress as a player.
