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Former Milwaukee Bucks #2 Pick Jabari Parker Terminating Contract with Current Team

Originally posted on WI Sports Heroics | By Robin M Adams | Last updated Jun 23, 2025 12:30 PM ET

There was a time, over a decade ago, that Jabari Parker and Giannis Antetokounmpo appeared poised to be the next dynamic duo on the Milwaukee Bucks. Giannis, of course, was selected in the first round (15th overall pick) of the 2013 NBA Draft. A year later, Milwaukee selected Parker with the second overall pick, hoping that the two young stars would turn the direction of the franchise around.

Over a decade after the Bucks drafted Parker to be a franchise cornerstone, he has played four five different NBA teams besides Milwaukee and is currently playing professional basketball overseas. Giannis, meanwhile, is a nine-time All-Star, two-time NBA MVP, one of the 75 greatest players of all time, and led the Bucks to their first NBA championship in 50 seasons back in 2021.

Former Milwaukee Bucks Star Jabari Parker Saw His Career Derailed by Injuries

Former Milwaukee Bucks #2 Pick Jabari Parker Terminating Contract with Current Team 1 Jan 27, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Milwaukee Bucks forward Jabari Parker (12) drives to the basket as Toronto Raptors guard Kyle Lowry (7) tries to defend during the first quarter in a game at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports

Unfortunately, Parker did not have the NBA career that many expected from him when he was taken with the second overall pick in the 2014 NBA Draft. An instant starter as a rookie, averaging 12.3 points and 5.5 rebounds per game, his first year in the league was cut short by a torn ACL.

The following season, though, Parker returned healthy and was able to play in 76 games while averaging 14.1 points per game.

In 2016-17, it appeared as if he had finally put all the pieces of his game together, and was averaging 20.1 points through 51 games. Unfortunately, another torn ACL ended his season.

After playing in just 31 games in 2017-18, Parker was not brought back by the Bucks. He spent the next four seasons of his career bouncing around the NBA, playing for the Chicago Bulls, Washington Wizards, Atlanta Hawks, Sacramento Kings, and Boston Celtics.

He last appeared in an NBA game for the Celtics during the 2021-22 season.

Former Milwaukee Bucks Star Jabari Parker Is Moving on From Barcelona to Play in Turkey

Former Milwaukee Bucks #2 Pick Jabari Parker Terminating Contract with Current Team 2 Dec 25, 2021; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Boston Celtics forward Jabari Parker (20) during the game against the Milwaukee Bucks at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Parker has spent the last few seasons playing in the Spanish basketball leagues for Barcelona. However, per EuroHoops, he is terminating his contract with the team to go play in Turkey: “Jabari Parker and FC Barcelona have mutually agreed on an early termination of their contract.”

Barcelona also released the following statement:

“FC Barcelona and Jabari Parker have reached an agreement to terminate the player’s contract, which was originally set to run until 30 June 2026.

“The club would like to thank the player for his professionalism and commitment, and wishes him the best of luck in the future, both personally and in his sporting career.

“At the end of the season, both parties carried out a joint assessment and agreed to part ways, allowing the player to leave amicably. Jabari Parker will always be welcome back at the Palau Blaugrana.”

EuroHoops reports that Parker plans to sign with Partizan Mozzart Bet of the Turkish Airlines Euroleague.

Parker averaged 13.9 points and 4.1 rebounds for Barcelona this past year while shooting 49/39/84 from the floor.

This article first appeared on WI Sports Heroics and was syndicated with permission.

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