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Utah Jazz: A far-too-early look at potential free agent targets this summer

Jared Woodcox|
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 07: Derrick Favors #15 of the Utah Jazz brings the ball up court during the game against the Indiana Pacers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on March 7, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.(Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 07: Derrick Favors #15 of the Utah Jazz brings the ball up court during the game against the Indiana Pacers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on March 7, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.(Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
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MILWAUKEE, WI – MARCH 02: Jabari Parker #12 of the Milwaukee Bucks walks across the court in the first quarter against the Indiana Pacers at the Bradley Center on March 2, 2018 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WI – MARCH 02: Jabari Parker #12 of the Milwaukee Bucks walks across the court in the first quarter against the Indiana Pacers at the Bradley Center on March 2, 2018 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Dylan Buell/Getty Images)

Jabari Parker

Current Team: Milwaukee Bucks

Status: Restricted

What I like:

You had to know this one was coming as Jabari Parker has been one of the most highly-touted names among Jazz fans that they’d like to see their team pursue. Parker is still working to shake off the rust since returning to action from yet another ACL injury, but there’s still a lot to like about him.

Last season, before suffering the injury, he averaged 20.1 points per game on solid splits of 49 percent from the field and 36.5 percent from deep. This year, his field goal percentage is right about at that mark, but he’s been on fire from deep, converting on 46.7 percent of his attempts. That right there tells you just how dangerous he could be as a stretch-four, but that’s far from Jabari’s only talent as he’s an all-around dynamic and versatile offensive player with potential to be great on defense as well.

There’s a reason why he was so highly-touted as a potential superstar when he entered the league, and at just 22 years old, he has plenty of room to grow and improve. If he stays healthy and maximizes his potential, he alongside Gobert and Mitchell could form a trio that contends for championships.

What I don’t like:

However, the Bucks are well aware of Jabari’s promise as well, and they’re more than likely going to do whatever it takes to keep him in restricted free agency. Even if they find themselves financially unable to match, I think it would be extremely unwise for Utah to break the bank on Parker. As I’ve just stated, there are a lot of things to like about him, but his injury history is far too concerning to send major dollars his way.

Parker also has fallen short of the hype that surrounded him when he entered the league. Sure, that has a lot to do with his injury struggles, but even beyond health he has a long ways to go before proving that he’s on the path to becoming a star in this league.

Final Thoughts:

If Parker could be had at a safe investment, I’d be all for taking the risk. But the kind of money it’s going to take to pry him away from Milwaukee in restricted free agency will be overpaying in my mind due to the fact that he has yet to prove that he can remain healthy. I’d love to see Parker magically transported onto the Jazz roster, but until he is attainable at a more realistic price or proves he’s truly worth a hefty investment, I’d prefer that the Jazz stay away.

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