:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/69140860/1128325046.0.jpg)
Well then! Who saw this coming?
In a surprise signing, Jabari Parker has agreed to a two-year deal with the Boston Celtics, per The Athletic’s Shams Charania. The financials have yet to be reported.
As a result, the Celtics have released Moe Wagner — Boston already had the league-maximum 17 players on their roster — in order to make room for Parker. Wagner joined Boston at the trade deadline in their trade with Chicago that sent Daniel Theis to the Bulls. A career 6.5 points per game scorer, Wagner struggled to find any sort of groove in Boston, averaging just over six minutes and 1.2 points per game in nine total games. He was, however, productive as a role player in Washington earlier this season, and it won’t be a shock if he signs with what would be his fourth team of the season in short order.
Parker, a career 14.8 points per game scorer and 5.7 per game rebounder, gives Boston a bit more depth in the frontcourt as they inch toward the playoffs. The Duke product has been largely considered a bust since he was selected second overall by the Milwaukee Bucks in 2014; his early production never quite matched his player profile as a slasher-defensive-stopper combo, nor did he ever sniff the play of his earliest comps, ranging from Paul Pierce to Carmelo Anthony. He has been, however, a fine offensive presence off the bench for five teams (Milwaukee, Chicago, Washington, Atlanta, and most recently, Sacramento) in his career.
Couple of things on the Celtics signing Jabari Parker:
— Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) April 16, 2021
-2-year deal. Likely the second year is fully or mostly non-guaranteed
-Parker is playoff eligible because he was waived in advance of the 4/9 playoff eligibility waiver deadline
Given his shaky career to this point, there’s no telling how the frontcourt minutes will be dispersed among the bench guys, particularly Grant Williams and Semi Ojeleye. The best-case scenario? He helps take the load off of some younger players as a key piece in the second unit as the playoffs loom. Given last night’s dumpster fire of a performance from guys typically found far down the bench, Parker, at first blush, is a welcome addition. The 26-year-old appeared in three games for Sacramento this season before being waived in March.