NBA Trade Rumors: Knicks Show 'Preliminary Interest' In Jabari Parker

The New York Knicks are the latest team to reportedly be interested in out-of-favor Chicago Bulls forward Jabari Parker. According to Ian Begley of ESPN, the Knicks are expressing "preliminary interest" in trading for Parker, though he adds nothing is imminent as of yet.

It follows up a recent report by The Ringer's Kevin O'Connor who states the Utah Jazz are also one of the teams interested in the 23-year-old.

"The Utah Jazz are one of the teams interested in Parker, according to multiple league sources," O'Connor wrote. "Derrick Favors is an awkward fit next to center Rudy Gobert, and his $16.9 million on the books for next season is non-guaranteed, meaning he could be one of the pieces involved. Favors can't be traded until January 15, so Chicago would have to wait."

Parker signed with the Bulls earlier this summer on a two-year, $40 million deal with a team option for the 2019/20 season. Despite averaging 15.2 points, 6.9 rebounds and 2.3 assists in 29 games this season, Parker was recently dropped from the regular rotation by head coach Jim Boylen due to his defensive deficiencies as well as the return of Lauri Markkanen from injury.

He last played just four first-half minutes in last week's loss against the Orlando Magic and has missed the last three games through illness.

Since then, he and his agent Mark Bartelstein have been discussing a trade with the Bulls, with Bartelstein claiming a number of teams have inquired for the forward. While Bobby Portis could miss two to four weeks due to a sprain ankle, allowing Parker to get more game time, the Bulls still seem content with trading him. And New York could be the right fit.

As noted by Bleacher Report, the Knicks are short on forward depth, especially with star man Kristaps Porzingis recovering from an ACL injury suffered last season, and Parker could take the starting role as a power forward which would drop Noan Vonleh to the bench.

The Chicago native could also play as a small forward along with Kevin Knox and Mario Hezonja.

If things don't work out, it's not a disaster for the Knicks either. Parker is owed $20 million for next season but only if his contracted team exercises their option. That will also allow New York to bolster their forward line this season and still maintain cap space next summer as they look to sign a high-profile free agent like Kevin Durant.

Whatever happens, it seems increasingly likely that Parker won't be with the Bulls, come the end of the season. Until he gets traded or released by the Bulls though, he will continue to play his best.

“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.”

“... It’s bigger than anything that I’m given. I only deal with [head coach] Jim [Boylen], and I just have to take his word for it and trust what he’s telling me. I can have as many opinions as possible, but that doesn’t matter. It doesn’t matter how I feel. It is what it is. I was given the expectation I was out of the lineup. Until somebody says otherwise, I’m still in that position.”