As the Bulls prepare to pull Jabari Parker from their rotation, they’ve also engaged in trade talks with multiple teams regarding Parker, sources tell K.C. Johnson of The Chicago Tribune. According to Johnson, there’s “considerable interest” in Parker and there’s motivation to get a deal done.
Shams Charania of The Athletic confirms (via Twitter) that trade discussions have taken place and that teams have interest in Parker, adding that agent Mark Bartelstein is involved in the process too.
Parker, 2014’s second overall pick, joined his hometown Bulls during the 2018 offseason. While he has posted respectable counting stats through 29 games, averaging 15.2 PPG and 6.9 RPG, the former Buck hasn’t contributed much on the defensive end, which is one reason why he’s being benched. According to Johnson, Jim Boylen‘s benching of Parker is “yet another reminder” that Chicago’s new head coach wants his players to compete on the defensive end and play within the team structure on offense.
Although the Bulls have gauged the trade market for Parker, the team isn’t necessarily viewing his demotion as a permanent one, says Johnson. The 23-year-old has been told that how he competes in practice will determine his future playing time, assuming he remains with the Bulls. For now, Parker says it’s too early to determine whether he’ll eventually ask for a trade or even a buyout, Johnson adds.
“Everybody is telling me the truth and that’s just to stay ready,” Parker said. “They’re not telling me things I want to hear. They’re not pointing fingers. And personally, I know I’ve done my job to embrace Jim as the head coach. I’ve been nothing but welcoming of him. And that’s what I’m going to continue to do.”
If the Bulls do get serious about moving Parker, his contract will be an obstacle, as both Johnson and Charania observe. It’s essentially an expiring deal, since he has a team option for 2019/20, but his $20MM salary for this season could be tough to swallow for potential suitors, given his play on defense. The Bulls would have to take back at least $15MM in any deal, but may be unwilling to take on multiyear salary, since they’re projected to open up significant cap room in 2019.
Parker will officially become eligible to be traded on Saturday.
What a joke! He puts zero effort on the defensive end. Another screw up by Gar/Paxson. How soon can the Bulls draft Zion Williamson?
They need Barrett, not Zion..They already have Lauri, WCJ, and Portis…Who exactly do they have at SF?? Holliday and Hutchinson…Yeah, nothing more is required…lol
Skipping over Zion would be like skipping over James, Bryant, or Jordan.
the fact that garpax continues to get away w. this is amazing to me. they brought in d. wade at a crazy salary, knowing he didnt fit w. what the team is looking to do. then an offseason after buying wade out…. they do the same thing w. parker??????????? if i was that incompetent at my job i woulda been gone the first time.
Can you not type “with” for some reason?
I was puzzled by that too.
lmaooo its just a habit at this point
Youre puzzled why someone uses an abbreviation?
People have been using w/ to replace with for couple decades now.
“With” is an odd word to feel a need to shorten, being so short already.
Meanwhile, what to do about abbreviating assist, assistant, assortment, assembly and associate. . . one of those should be a/!
now ur nitpicking
Somebody else started symbolizing ‘with’, & made it popular, & I was just wondering why that word and not another.
Because can be typed ‘b/c’, I think because readers tend to skip over the words that follow ‘because’.
Lakers?
That’s a strong idea, they need another scorer. I thought maybe Philly too, to replace the loss of Saric. Parker is stretch 4, but can really score from anywhere. I had a feeling, given Boylen’s style, that he wouldn’t be a good fit. Also with Markannen and Portis back and healthy, there really isn’t room for him. They were thinking the 3, but he’s not quick enough (or motivated enough) to defend other teams 3s.
Thank god.
fire the coach
Won’t happen. He’s the perfect coach in JR’s mind… he costs nothing.