Chicago Bulls Rumors: Jabari Parker To Be Traded In 2018-19?

The Chicago Bulls (9-25) have one of the worst records in the NBA and another trip to the draft lottery seems to be a strong possibility. Many NBA insiders expect the Bulls to make trades before the Feb. 7 trade deadline to strengthen the roster in 2019-20.

One player that has been on the block has been forward Jabari Parker. But according to Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times, the Bulls have received little interest in the 23-year-old and he has "all but checked out" with hopes of a trade.

"From my seat, he needs to lock into practicing hard, playing hard and honoring the values of the team, which I’ve set forth for the team" head coach Jim Boylen said Sunday about Parker.

Parker's time with Chicago was expected to go much smoother. The Chicago native spent four mostly injury-plagued seasons with the Milwaukee Bucks before joining the Bulls in the offseason, in what seemed like a possible fresh start in his hometown. The perception was that the former No. 2 overall pick had overcome two torn left ACLs and was ready to help make the Bulls a playoff contender again.

General manager Gar Forman described Parker as a "natural fit" with the Bulls and that the team was pleased to have a hometown star.

It didn't take long for things to sour. After a productive November, in which Parker averaged 17.4 points in 34.2 minutes, there has been a noticeable dropoff in production. And because of his two-year, $40 million deal with Year 2 being a team option, teams may be reluctant to make a deal.

Parker's numbers are respectable, with averages of 15.2 points per game on 45.5 percent shooting. But he has not played since logging just four minutes against the Orlando Magic on Dec. 13.