Chicago Bulls: Potential outcomes, destinations for Jabari Parker

Bulls could choose buyout option

One option the Bulls have, that would be quite painful, is to discuss and execute a buyout with Parker. The Bulls would pay him the full $20 million he is owed for this season, but Parker would then become a free agent and sign with whichever team he so chooses.

The downside is obviously being that the Bulls get nothing in return for Parker. Not only that, but they are on the hook for his salary this year. This is not the scenario most fans would like to see play out. But, whatever the Bulls know internally must be bad enough if they are completely knocking Parker out of the rotation.

Parker has actually had a decent season, averaging over 15 points and over seven boards per game. When the Bulls had nobody other than Zach LaVine, it was Parker who helped carry the load, offensively. Now that they have Markkanen back, though, Parker is no longer needed in the starting rotation. Portis will also take up a lot of minutes in the front court, while Justin Holiday and Chandler Hutchison will share minutes at the three.

Worst-case scenario

The absolute worst-case scenario for everyone involved would be to keep Parker on the roster while not allowing him to see the floor. Regardless of what’s going on with Parker and the team, internally, it would be unfair to him and unfair to the team. Keeping him on the team while refusing to play him would cause the ultimate distraction.

Wait a minute, this team is overflowing with distractions at the moment, so would that really be all that bad? Who knows. The Bulls are a mess. Let’s all just hope they can find a trade partner and call it a day.