Very, very realistic Jabari Parker Trade Ideas
The Bulls’ prized off-season acquisition is Chicago native Jabari Parker. Bulls executive vice president John Paxson said, “He’s the type of guy who can get you 20 points without having to run a play for him. Those are important pieces to building a team. There’s great opportunity in this.” Five months later the Bulls are now engaged in trade talks to move Parker, and seemingly don’t see him as an important piece anymore. Getting into what happened is a conversation for another day, let’s discuss now what the Bulls should expect in trading Parker.
According to Bulls beat reporter KC Johnson, there is interest in Parker around the NBA. And other reputable people such as Bobby Marks have said the same. So I will act as if that is true. Before we get into possible trades; let’s discuss some rules about trading Parker and what Parker’s value is around the NBA.
With Parker making $20 million in 2018–19, the Bulls must receive at least $15 million in salary coming back. The reason for this is the trading team will only be allowed to take back the same amount of salary they are trading out, plus 5 million. So at least $15 million in an incoming salary is needed to make a trade legally work.
Parker’s contract structure has some value. Parker has a team option for next season. This allows Parker to act as an expiring contract while having control over his next season at $20 million. Teams will retain non-Bird rights. That is important because teams can decline his option, but still retain non-bird rights and can re-negotiate a contract with Parker while he test the market. That is important because it means they won’t need cap space to resign him. Think of teams that could have tax issues next season. They could trade out future unwanted salary for Parker, and Bulls can get themselves a more valuable return because of this.
Parker likes to shoot mid-range jump shots. I bring this up because a team like Houston who discourages that shot will unlikely be interested in Parker. Milwaukee another team who plays that way. Also Parker’s strength is offense. Teams who need offense will be interested in Parker.
How much do the Bulls really value 2019 space? This is important because for the Bulls to get the best return, them taking back future salary will be the best way to do that. Let’s go over some trade ideas for Jabari Parker.
Trade No. 1
Bulls Trade: Jabari Parker, 2024 2nd Round Pick
Magic Trade: Timofey Mozgov, 2020 1st Round Pick (Lottery protected in 2020, top 10 protected 2021, if not conveyed by 2021 Orlando will owe Chicago their 2021 and 2022 2nd Round picks.
Orlando is a struggling offensive team currently 14–15 and 8th in the Eastern Conference standings. Orlando’s starting power forward is Aaron Gordon while they have Jonathan Issac playing most of the minutes behind him. Issac has played 55% of his minutes at PF, but has played 45% of his minutes at SF as well. If Orlando made this trade they could play Parker at the 4 and have Issac play next to him at the 3, with Bamba at the 5. Two good defenders surrounding Parker. That’s an upgrade for their 2nd unit’s front court at least for this season. But not only that, the trade clears Mozgov’s salary off the books for them next season, and gets Orlando max space flexibility in 2019. Which to me is where the value is in this trade.
Trade No. 2
Bulls Trade: Jabari Parker
Grizzlies Trade: Chandler Parsons, 2023 1st Round Pick (Lottery Protected, if not conveyed Memphis will owe Chicago their 2023 2nd round pick)
Memphis is in a similar situation like Orlando. A team that is 16–13, 7th in the West but also struggling offensively. Memphis starts Jaren Jackson Jr at PF, with JayMychal Green behind him. Green is a quality player, but Parker is the better offensive player. But arguably the motivation from a personal standpoint likely won’t be strong here. But the trade also clears up Parson’s 25.1 million in 2019 for Memphis, and gives Memphis more flexibility to improve in 2019 free agency while adding offensive depth. The 1st might be hard to negotiate here, but the protection is in Memphis’s favor.
Trade No. 3
Bulls Trade: Jabari Parker
Pacers Trade: Tyreke Evans, Kyle O’Quinn, 2024 2nd Round Pick
Indiana as of now sits 19–10 and 3rd in the Eastern Conference Standings. Their offense is ranked 19th in terms of offensive rating. They have Thaddeus Young starting at PF, with a few guys rotating behind him. This is where Indiana could use Parker. Indiana is already set in terms of cap space for 2019, so Parker’s contract doesn’t give them value there. Which is why this trade would likely only net you a 2nd round pick, plus expiring contracts.
These are three trades I can see being discussed. I can see tax teams like Miami and Washington possibly being interested as well. But the main issue with those teams is making it work in terms of salary matching and assets. Another problem is the timing of all this. It is mid-December. Teams usually get aggressive closer to the deadline. The likely hood of teams offering 1st round picks for Parker at this point is unlikely. The Bulls have to be patient and let the process play out. Injuries can happen, but mainly teams will have a better sense of what they need but mainly how good they are. It is also more than likely the Bulls don’t get a 1st round pick out of the trade, because either it wasn’t offered or the protections were too strong. I don’t think the Bulls should be overly concerned with hurting 2019 cap space, if the possibility to acquire a 1st round pick presents itself. Don’t hurt space for 2nd round picks. Only 1st or a quality player in return. If a 1st doesn’t present itself, look for expiring contracts. You could possibly use space in the off-season to acquire assets as well, while talking to players in free agency. I predict the Bulls will end up trading for expiring contracts, with a 2nd round pick.
