The Milwaukee Bucks are one of the best teams in the NBA and have been for five years now. However, it was not too long ago that they were perennially one of the bottom feeders of the league. Year-in and year-out, Milwaukee would get top draft position, just to take players that didn’t pan out.
Milwaukee struck gold in 2013 when the drafted Giannis Antetokounmpo with the 15th overall pick. However, he was not a two-time MVP yet and still had to develop his game. As such, the Bucks found themselves in the lottery again in 2014 with the number two overall pick.
The Milwaukee Bucks Drafted Jabari Parker in 2014
Of course, the Bucks used that pick to draft Jabari Parker out of Duke. While Parker was a promising prospect, and the thought of pairing him with Giannis for years to come was exciting, he just did not pan out.
Injuries, of course, were the start of all of his troubles. What once was a promising NBA career has become one of constant injuries and questions regarding his work ethic.
In four seasons with the Bucks, Parker was healthy for just one full season, his second year. In that campaign, he averaged 14.1 points and 5.2 rebounds per game. The next year, he played in 50 games, and averaged a career-high 20.1 points and 6.2 rebounds per game.
Unfortunately, he was healthy for just 31 games in his fourth year and was not brought back to Milwaukee. Since leaving, he has played for the Chicago Bulls, Washington Wizards, Atlanta Hawks, Sacramento Kings, and Boston Celtics. Of these teams, the only one he stayed with for a complete season was Boston.
Jabari Parker Is Mounting a NBA Comeback
Parker has struggled to stay healthy and on the court in his career. In the four seasons he played after leaving the Bucks, he played in 64, 38, 13, and 12 games respectively. He did not play in the NBA at all last year.
Still just 26 years old, Parker is still trying to find a team that will give him a chance. According to NBA Insider Chris Haynes, the Phoenix Suns are hosting him for a workout:
Phoenix Suns will host a free agent workout on Wednesday featuring notables Jabari Parker and Stanley Johnson, league sources tell @NBAonTNT, @BleacherReport. pic.twitter.com/cp8f2sZvwq
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) June 26, 2023
For his career, Parker has averages of 14.1 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 2.0 assists. If he can stay healthy and if he does not run into the same locker room issues he had in Chicago, he could be a good asset for some team’s bench in the NBA.
We’ll see what happens.
For More Great Wisconsin Sports Content
Follow me on Twitter at @theotherRobin19 and follow us @WiSportsHeroics for more great content. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in Wisconsin sports, click here!
