Valley of the Suns
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The Phoenix Suns should stay far away from Jabari Parker

By Dan Volpone

MILWAUKEE, WI - MARCH 30: Jabari Parker #12 of the Milwaukee Bucks passes the basketball during the second quarter against the Phoenix Suns at BMO Harris Bradley Center on March 30, 2016 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. (Photo by Mike McGinnis/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WI - MARCH 30: Jabari Parker #12 of the Milwaukee Bucks passes the basketball during the second quarter against the Phoenix Suns at BMO Harris Bradley Center on March 30, 2016 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. (Photo by Mike McGinnis/Getty Images) /
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ESPN’s Chris Sheridan reported that the Bucks may be looking to move on from Jabari Parker. The Phoenix Suns should absolutely not have interest.

Here are Sheridan’s thoughts on the possibility of the Bucks moving Parker if they were to put in an offer for Kawhi Leonard.

"If Popovich/Buford are dead-set on sending Leonard to one of the least desirable places possible, weather-wise, then the Milwaukee Bucks could be in play. I expect the Bucks to move Eric Bledsoe and Jabari Parker, because Giannis Antetokounmpo does not enjoy playing alongside those two. But Pop probably doesn’t want guys like that on his team either."

Unless the Suns are still high on Marquese Chriss or Dragan Bender, they’re in the market for a  power forward. But Jabari Parker is definitely not the solution. Just take a look at his advanced stats.

Advanced Table
SeasonAgeGWS/48OBPMDBPMBPMVORP
2014-151925.088-1.40.2-1.20.1
2015-162076.072-0.9-1.5-2.4-0.2
2016-172151.1121.5-1.30.21.0
2017-182231.080-0.2-1.6-1.80.0
Career183.087-0.1-1.2-1.40.9

Provided by Basketball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 6/19/2018.

Parker has had a negative Box Plus-Minus for all but one season. He’s been a major minus on defense for each of the past three seasons. And last season, advanced stats show he hurt the team on both ends of the floor. His career VORP is unimpressive, and his Win Shares per 48 minutes is below the league average.

He’s also shown that he isn’t a durable or reliable option. He’s torn his left ACL twice since coming into the league, and he’s only managed to play more than 51 games once in his career. Last year, he could only find the court for 31 regular season games, and the Bucks, filled with big-name players, finished just seventh in the East and didn’t win a playoff series.

Parker has improved his three point shot, but he’s still been ineffective on the court. He’s not particularly athletic, which hurts his ability to run the floor, defend, and beat guys off the dribble. It also puts a fairly low cap on his potential.

And according to Sheridan, Parker’s teammates don’t even like sharing the court with him.

Perhaps worst of all, Parker is bound to get a decent sized contract in free agency. He’s a former number two overall pick who can stretch the floor offensively, which could legitimately help a team off the bench. But a team will pay him like a quality starter, which the numbers clearly indicate he isn’t.

Next: Counterpoint: If Jabari Parker is available, the Suns should make an offer

The Phoenix Suns should make no attempt to trade too many assets for a role player who needs the perfect bench situation to succeed, only too have to pay him too big of a contract.

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