Milwaukee Bucks: What impact does Jabari Parker’s future have on the present and future?

What happens if the Bucks let Jabari walk?

If the Bucks let Parker leave for a new team, it may suggest a lack of faith in his health, continuing concerns over fit, or simply a price they’re unwilling to stretch to at this point.

The primary motivation to do that would be to create as much cap space as possible, in order to target better alternatives via trade or free agency in future. Heading into next summer, if the Bucks could find a way to offload two of Dellavedova, Henson and Tony Snell, they’d be able to get under the salary cap. That would leave in the region of $13-15 million of cap space before even considering renouncing Middleton or Bledsoe.

Middleton’s status within the organization would make it seem like he’s part of the long-term plans in Milwaukee, but renouncing Bledsoe could open up room for a high profile free agency addition (Kemba Walker, maybe?), while still having the freedom to go over the cap to re-sign Middleton using his rights.

Re-signing Middleton and Brogdon would then put the Bucks into the luxury tax, while adding another role player via the taxpayer’s mid-level exception could put them approximately $20 million into the tax. Whether ownership would be willing to pay that sizable bill or whether the Bucks could add the caliber of players who’d make doing so worthwhile remains to be seen, but it may be the quickest path to genuine contention for Milwaukee.

Ultimately, this road could land the Bucks a potential star if they don’t believe Bledsoe and Parker can live up to that billing or make for the right fit for the team. It would be a huge gamble, though, and there is no guarantee the Bucks can land a star even if they do take this road.