The Milwaukee Bucks started out the 2017-2018 NBA season red-hot as franchise cornerstone Giannis Antetokounmpo quickly established himself as an early MVP candidate while the team looked poised to pose a legitimate threat to the Eastern Conference crown.
Things have tapered off a bit here at the quarter-mark of the regular season as the 15-13 Bucks have essentially been playing .500 ball in their last 10 games and are currently in the midst of a three-game skid. Having already made one major trade to acquire Eric Bledsoe, there’s not an awful lot the Bucks can do externally to make a change, but help could be on the way soon internally.
Fans around Milwaukee got some promising news on Monday as the organization announced that injured forward Jabari Parker has been assigned to the team’s G-League affiliate, the Wisconsin Herd.
Bucks announce @JabariParker will take the next step in his rehab by reporting to Milwaukee’s G League team for Monday and Tuesday practices. Parker is returning from an ACL injury suffered last February.
— David Aldridge (@davidaldridgedc) December 18, 2017
Parker has battled various injuries throughout his young career and was limited to just 51 games last season before tearing his ACL last February for the second time. The 22-year-old was averaging better than 20 points and six rebounds per game up to that point.
The Bucks can certainly use his help as an additional playmaker and shooter out on the perimeter. But the franchise is clearly taking a cautious approach as they do not expect him back on an NBA court until sometime in February.
Bucks forward Jabari Parker suffered his 2nd ACL tear last Feb. 8, five days after Zach LaVine. Bucks are planning on a February return for the former Simeon star.
— Mike McGraw (@McGrawDHSports) December 16, 2017
Milwaukee is currently in seventh place in a vastly improved Eastern Conference where numerous teams will be vying for the final playoff spots for the remainder of the regular season.
