The Chicago Bulls might very well be on the verge of making one of the final free agent splashes this summer around the NBA.
According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the Bulls and Milwaukee Bucks restricted free agent Jabari Parker are progressing on a contract. The conversations are ongoing, but it seems reasonable to believe something will get done on this front.
Restricted free agent forward Jabari Parker and the Chicago Bulls are progressing on a deal, league sources tell ESPN. Discussions over a number to topics still ongoing.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 13, 2018
Parker, 23, has suffered two torn ACLs in his four NBA seasons. He also fell out of favor in Milwaukee last season, leading to frustration on the part of the former No. 2 overall pick.
Despite all of this, he’s still a high-upside player and would add a whole lot to a young, but talented Bulls core. Parker averaged 20.1 points and 6.2 rebounds in 2016-17 before going down with an ACL injury. Last season saw his splits drops to 12.6 and 4.9.
If the Bulls sign Parker to an offer sheet and it’s not matched, he’ll add to a core group that already includes the recently re-signed Zach LaVine as well as rookie lottery pick Wendell Carter, Jr. and second-year stud Lauri Markkanen.