Jabari Parker is refusing to lash out at the Bulls, even though he finds himself on the trading block after being pulled from the rotation, writes K.C. Johnson of The Chicago Tribune. Parker’s situation in Chicago soured quickly after he joined the team as a free agent in July. New coach Jim Boylen reportedly cites poor effort on defense and a selfish attitude on offense as the basis for his decisions, but Parker doesn’t want to get caught up in a war of words.
“I chose to come here,” Parker said. “I did everything I can to prove that I belong here. And I’m going to continue to do that. My job is to be ready to be on the court. My agent’s job is to just be my defense and be that voice for me that I’m not able to say.”
Parker is open to a deal, and his agent, Mark Bartelstein, is working with the team to resolve the situation. According to Johnson, the Bulls began seeking trade partners well before restrictions were lifted on newly signed free agents yesterday.
“It’s not easy,” Boylen said. “I’ve been direct and honest with him about what I expect and what I hope he can continue to work on.”
There’s more this morning out of Chicago:
- The Heat, Suns, Cavaliers and Hawks are teams that might be good fits for Parker, writes Frank Urbina of HoopsHype.
- Boylen had a strong supporter in Spurs coach Gregg Popovich even before the Bulls’ surprising win in San Antonio last night, Johnson adds in the same story. Boylen, who has been under fire since replacing Fred Hoiberg two weeks ago, spent two years as an assistant with the Spurs and was with the team when it won the 2014 NBA title. “He’s a pretty straightforward, honest individual, and he’ll do it the way he thinks is best for that group,” Popovich said. “And he’ll be fair, he’ll be demanding, and he will try to make everything clear so whatever system he wants to employ will get across. I’ve learned as much from him as he’s learned from us here.”
- If there’s a bright side to Zach LaVine‘s injury, it gives the Bulls a chance to evaluate rookie Rawle Alkins, notes Michael Walton of NBC Sports Chicago. Alkins signed a two-way contract this summer and has spent the season in the G League at Windy City, where he is averaging 15.5 points and 6.0 rebounds per game. He will be called up in time for tomorrow night’s game, tweets Darnell Mayberry of The Athletic.
Parker to Cleveland for Hood and Clarkson
Absolutely not lololol. What you smoking? Lol
Which side are you concerned about? None of those players are very good
Ya haha that’s a decent proposal. Dude fell out of the rotation on the worst team in the league.. how can be considered worth anything
Averages 15 points and 7 rebounds, yeah, he’s totally not worth anything
What’s it matter if he’s got a bad attitude and won’t respect a coach? He said before Milwaukee even drafted him that he didn’t wanna play in Cleveland. Clearly, he doesn’t care how much of a blessing it is to play in the league.
This Boylen dude comes across as a total clown, can the Bulls please, just fire him so we can move on & forget he even ever coach in the NBA
What would it take for the Heat to get Jabari? Could they use Waiters/Kelly Olynyk or Hassan Whiteside? Obviously it’s a lot of salary for matching purposes
Heat could get Jabari for a bag of chips and matching salaries. The trade machine would not object, nor would Chicago fans.
But to keep the Trade Machine happy and match salaries, you would have to do Dragic straight up, or send Whiteside and also take Cam Payne off our hands along with Jabari. Tyler Johnson straight up would work, but we already have a better version of him in Lavine.
The Bulls do not want Olynyk as they already have too many stretch 4s, although Whiteside might add some rebounding beef that could be helpful.
Bulls are not taking back any bad money in a Jabari deal. He has a team option, therefore they would rather just decline his opt. Only deals I see, as even possible are:
Jabari for Demarre Carrol & a 2nd rd pick
Jabari for Enes Kanter & a 2nd rd pick
Maybe something similar with other expirings like KCP, Lin, Z-Bo, Ross, Burks, or Wilson Chandler. It only takes one GM to
believe in a Jabari rebirth
He WAS developing as a fine 3pt shooter. Something happened. One can only speculate. . . maybe he is feeling too physically healthy but mentally uncomfortable to just spot up & shoot?
Heat should take a look at Parker and Rivers, maybe Fultz also. They need PF and a true PG.