Jabari Parker agreed Monday to a two-year, $13 million deal with the Atlanta Hawks, ending his short tenure with the Washington Wizards.
Parker was an unrestricted free agent who has had an up-and-down career since being drafted second overall by the Milwaukee Bucks in 2014. Last season, he signed a two-year deal with his hometown Chicago Bulls, but fell out of the rotation and clashed with coach Jim Boylen. The Wizards, however, traded for Parker (and Bobby Portis) at the trade deadline in February in exchange for Otto Porter — leading to a mini-resurgence for the 24-year-old.
With Washington, Parker found a rhythm as a go-to scorer off the bench. He averaged 15 points and 7.2 rebounds in 27.3 minutes per game. The Wizards appreciated Parker’s role, leading the second unit and becoming their second option after Bradley Beal.
Parker’s two-year deal includes a player option, per The Athletic’s Ben Standig.
The Wizards had the choice to keep Parker before free agency, given the Duke product had a $20 million team option. But that was never a realistic scenario for a rebuilding team bent on avoiding the luxury tax.
Parker, who tore his ACL for a second time in 2017, said he got “the chance to love the game again” with Washington.
“Coming here, I just didn’t want to go,” Parker said. “I didn’t want to leave the gym. I always wanted to get better and those types of things I look forward to as a basketball player.”
In Atlanta, Parker will join a talented young squad that features Trae Young, John Collins and Kevin Huerter.
In addition to Parker, the Wizards have also seen Portis, Jeff Green, Trevor Ariza and Tomas Satoransky sign elsewhere during free agency. Washington retained center Thomas Bryant and have traded for forwards C.J. Miles and Davis Bertans in recent days.
• Matthew Paras can be reached at mparas@washingtontimes.com.
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