3 reasons the San Antonio Spurs are better off without Kawhi Leonard

3 reasons the San Antonio Spurs are better off without Kawhi Leonard by Niccolo Hilgendorf

Chicago native Jabari Parker has signed with the Chicago Bulls. How big of an impact will he make with the team next season?

The Chicago Bulls have signed forward Jabari Parker to a two-year, $40 million contract, per ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. Parker became a unrestricted free agent after the Milwaukee Bucks rescinded their qualifying offer. The second year is a team option.

The Chicago native has suffered through two ACL tears in his left knee. His most recent knee injury came midway through his third year in the 2016-17 campaign.

Parker was having his best pro season before the injury. He averaged career highs of 20.2 points, 6.2 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game. He returned and played 31 games in the 2017-18 season, where he averaged only 12.6 points and 4.9 rebounds per game.

Parker is skilled around the rim, using his athleticism to throw down lobs and dunks. His game isn’t limited, however, as he is still a capable ball-handler, passer and 3-point shooter.

Growing young core

The 23-year-old joins Chicago’s impressive young core of Kris Dunn (24), Zach LaVine (23), Denzel Valentine (24), Lauri Markkanen (21) and Wendell Carter Jr. (19). This group can grow together and challenge for a postseason berth after building chemistry.

The young Bulls are very eager to play with Parker:

Welcome home @JabariParker! Chicago let’s do this💯 — Zach LaVine (@ZachLaVine) July 14, 2018

How does Wendell Carter Jr. feel about signing Jabari Parker?

What does WCJ feel about his Summer League performance?@Kia Summer League coverage: pic.twitter.com/s5kMM8NjaJ — Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) July 14, 2018

Prior to the 2017 NBA Draft, the Bulls had only Valentine and a roster full of ball-centric veterans. After trading Jimmy Butler for LaVine, Dunn and Markkanen on draft night, the team’s luck has taken a turn for the better.

2 seasons ago the Bulls starting lineup was.. Rondo

Wade

Butler

Gibson

Lopez Now they have a core of Kris Dunn

Zach Lavine

Jabari Parker

Lauri Markkanen

Wendell Carter Jr MAJOR Props to the Front Office. The future is looking Bright in Chicago, couldn’t be happier — Mike Korzemba (@mikekorz) July 14, 2018

LaVine and Valentine have both dealt with ACL injuries in the past. If the Bulls catch the injury bug like they have in recent years, it will bring back painful memories from the Derrick Rose era for many fans. Still, for the Bulls, this deal is a bargain.

Another benefit of this deal is that it weakens Milwaukee, a division foe. Parker is arguably the second-best player on the Bucks when healthy, and now the Bulls won’t have to worry about guarding him.

His fit

With Milwaukee, the 6’8″ Parker played as a power forward. With the Bulls, he will likely play at the small forward position with Markkanen and Bobby Portis playing minutes at the 4.

It’s also possible that Parker comes off the bench as the sixth man. This might be best, as Ben Golliver of Sports Illustrated writes that Parker, LaVine and Markkanen are all flawed on defense. If he leads a second unit alongside Portis, he could wreak havoc against less talented players.

Head coach Fred Hoiberg is an offensive-minded coach, but the roster he was given in his first two seasons failed to implement his system. Players like Rose, Jimmy Butler, Rajon Rondo, Dwyane Wade and Taj Gibson were all terrible fits for Hoiberg’s coaching style.

Parker will need the ball, but he won’t fail to stretch the floor. The former No. 2 overall pick doesn’t have a huge ego either, and has been praised for his high character.

Overall, the Bulls are neither overpaying or overextending themselves to bring Parker home. He is an injury concern, but if healthy, can be an All-Star caliber player. It will take time for the young Bulls to figure out their respective roles and most optimal lineups. When they do, it’ll be interesting to see this team’s ceiling.

Grade: A-