The Bulls are on the verge of signing Simeon Career Academy product and Bucks forward Jabari Parker, according to two sources familiar with the negotiations.
Parker, the No. 2 pick in the 2014 NBA draft, has averaged 15.3 points and 5.5 rebounds over four seasons. He also has torn his left ACL twice. He was enjoying his best season in 2016-17, averaging 20.1 points and 6.2 rebounds in 51 games before his second knee injury. Last season, Parker averaged 12.6 points in 31 games.
The Bucks have until 11:59 p.m. Central to rescind their qualifying offer, which would make Parker an unrestricted free agent. The Bulls don't yet know if they're signing Parker to a deal as an unrestricted free agent or to an offer sheet as a restricted free agent, which the Bucks could match. Either way, it's expected to be a short-term deal, a source said.
The deal isn't finalized and there are some hurdles to overcome, but it could become official as early as Saturday.
Though the 6-foot-8 Parker, 23, has alternated between power and small forward, the Bulls' initial plan is to start him at small forward, a position of need.
Parker was one of the most decorated players in Illinois prep history at Simeon. He is the only player to be voted Mr. Basketball of Illinois twice, and he was the second player in state history to start for four state championship teams after Peoria Manual's Sergio McClain. Parker spent a season at Duke before entering the 2014 draft.
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