Moving Forward: How Will The Bucks Close Out The Season?

The Milwaukee Bucks received terrible news that Jabari Parker will be out 12 months after tearing his ACL. How will the team move forward to close out the season?

In terms of the Eastern Conference standings, the Milwaukee Bucks are (technically) very much alive for a playoff birth. However, due to a prolonged slump and the loss of Jabari Parker, the team appears headed for the lottery.

Several weeks ago, the Bucks were amongst a number of teams pushing for the fifth seed in the East. Giannis Antetokounmpo was making a push for an All-Star bid, and Jabari Parker continued to put up 20+ points on a nightly basis.

Then, the wheels started to come off in mid-January. After a road loss in Atlanta, the Bucks dropped their next four games as they struggled to play consistent defense. Once in the thick of the playoff hunt, a 2-11 record since January 15th leaves the team on the outside looking in.

Currently, Milwaukee is just two games out of the eight seed and a likely matchup with the Cavaliers. While getting Antetokounmpo, Malcolm Brogdon and Thon Maker some playoff experience is important, it might be time to consider the benefits of an early selection in the draft.

Given that Jabari Parker will be coming off a second knee surgery, his long-term outlook is unknown. While he showed clear signs of becoming an all-star level player, it remains to be seen if he can stay healthy.

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Knowing he has already gone through the rehab process should provide assurance that a successful return is possible, but the mental hurdles he must go through will be a challenge.

Therefore, the Milwaukee Bucks would benefit more by falling in the standings and hope to get lucky in the NBA lottery. No longer can the team rely on Jabari Parker to be a guaranteed star, instead they should seek to add a top flight player in the draft.

By taking this route, they would give themselves an opportunity to have a six-man rotation of Malcolm Brogdon, Khris Middleton, Jabari Parker, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Thon Maker, and a top ten pick. However, this is taking for granted that both Middleton and Parker successfully return to form after major injuries.

The front-office would be fearful of finishing the season in a free fall because of how it will affect the sentiment of fans. After promoting the team as young but ready for a playoff run, the Bucks are falling short of everyone’s expectations.

Still, this will be easy to overcome due to the ever-present excitement surrounding Giannis Antetokounmpo, and the hype that will come from adding a top pick. In addition, it will be easy to dismiss 2016-2017 as a fluke. Injuries to Khris Middleton and now Jabari Parker are a valid excuse for missing the playoffs.

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Now, fans must embrace that the Milwaukee Bucks will not be competing for the 5th seed as was once thought. Instead, it would be better for the team to fall in the standings and add a top player from the draft. With Jabari Parker going through another extensive rehab process, the Bucks should protect themselves with another talented young scorer.