The Milwaukee Bucks have officially rescinded their qualifying offer to Jabari Parker to make him an unrestricted free agent, clearing the way for him to agree to a two-year, $40 million deal with the Chicago Bulls, according to reports.
It’s official: Jabari Parker’s time with the Milwaukee Bucks has officially come to a close.
ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski was first to report Saturday morning that Parker had agreed to a two-year, $40 million deal with the Chicago Bulls, which was made possible by the Bucks rescinding their qualifying offer to him to make him an unrestricted free agent.
Free agent forward Jabari Parker has agreed to a two-year, $40M deal with the Chicago Bulls, league sources tell ESPN. Milwaukee rescinded Parker's qualifying offer moments ago, making him unrestricted.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 14, 2018
The Bucks themselves confirmed this move in a press release moments later with statements from Parker, his agent Mark Bartelstein and Bucks general manager Jon Horst. Here’s what Horst had to say regarding the move and gave the Duke product well wishes upon his departure:
"“Jabari and I felt it was in the best interest of both he and the team to rescind our qualifying offer, making him an unrestricted free agent,” said General Manager Jon Horst. “We appreciate everything Jabari has brought to our team and our community over the last four years and we wish him well.”"
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Bartelstein offered his gratitude to the Bucks’ ownership and front office for working in the 23-year-old’s best interest throughout this process, despite them having no interest in bringing him back to Milwaukee:
"“Jabari and I express our sincere gratitude to Jon Horst and Bucks owners Marc Lasry, Wes Edens and Jamie Dinan for working side-by-side with us throughout the free agency period,” said Mark Bartelstein, CEO, Priority Sports & Entertainment.“From the moment the Bucks drafted Jabari with the No. 2 pick in the 2014 Draft, they have gone out of their way to treat Jabari as a member of the Bucks family, and this is another perfect example of doing exactly that, and we’re very appreciative.”"
Lastly, Parker gave his appreciation to all Bucks fans, his thanks to the team’s ownership group and the medical staff that helped him along the way after he tore his ACL on two separate occasions:
"“I am extremely grateful to the Bucks and the incredible fans of Milwaukee for showing me so much love and encouragement,” Parker said. “Specifically, I’d like to thank Jon, Marc, Wes and Jamie for giving me my start in the NBA and supporting me throughout my career.“Thank you to my teammates for being like brothers to me. Also, the medical and performance staff led by Troy Flanagan and Suki Hobson deserve my unending thanks for their dedication in helping me get stronger and healthier every day.”"
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel’s Matt Velazquez relayed minutes after the news broke that the Bucks explored all options before going through with cutting financial ties with Parker, speaking to Bartelstein’s statement.
Bucks explored all options and it was going to come down to Bulls offering this deal as an offer sheet. Bucks rescinding the offer sheet was done in the interest of helping Parker negotiate better terms once end became clear. Worked in good faith with Parker and his agent. https://t.co/DEjZtT3Hjs
— Matt Velazquez (@Matt_Velazquez) July 14, 2018
As far as Parker’s deal with the Bulls goes, Wojnarowski reported that the second year of his deal is a team option and gives him a chance for him and Bartelstein to work out a longer deal, provided he’s able to find his form and avoid picking up yet another injury in his young career.
The second-year of Parker deal is a team option, which lowers risk for Bulls because of Parker's two ACL surgeries and gives Bartelstein and Parker a chance to negotiate a long-term deal with Bulls should he stay healthy and productive next season.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 14, 2018
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With this now set in stone, it’s hard not to wonder what could have been, given the potential Jabari held at one time. All there is left to say is best of luck moving forward for Jabari and hopefully the change in scenery suits him well.