Bulls forward Jabari Parker to be dropped from regular rotation

Forward Jabari Parker played just four first-half minutes in the Chicago Bulls' 97-91 loss to the Orlando Magic on Thursday night in Mexico City.

Coach Jim Boylen said after the game that the decision was matchup-based, but sources told ESPN earlier Thursday that Parker won't see regular minutes going forward.

With Chandler Hutchison sidelined, Parker came off the bench Thursday and was scoreless in four minutes. He did not play in the second half.

"Well, I think it's a matchup thing," Boylen said. "It's also hard to play three 4s. It's difficult to do that. You know, this team is not about one person, one matchup. It's about the team, and you play your minutes when you're in there, and when you're not, you support the guys who are. We have a lot of games left, and we're going to need all of our people."

Boylen said he has spoken to Parker about the decision.

"Going forward, he's part of our team, and it's not about the individual, it's about the team. It's about playing your minutes the best you can," Boylen said. "We'll see what his minutes are going forward."

Parker said he doesn't expect the change in his minutes to be permanent but calls the new direction a "surprise."

"It is a surprise because I did everything I could in the time I was given," Parker said. "But it is what it is. You can't pout. You just got to keep moving."

Parker, a Chicago native who signed a two-year, $40 million deal with the Bulls over the summer, was the team's sixth man to begin the season. After the team was hit by a rash of injuries, including to starter Lauri Markkanen, Parker moved into the starting lineup last month as a power forward, his preferred position and one he played for two seasons in Milwaukee.

Markkanen returned to the starting lineup Dec. 1, and Parker took a bench role again. The Bulls also underwent a coaching change, firing Fred Hoiberg and promoting Boylen from associate head coach.

Shortly after Boylen was hired, he said he met with all Bulls players individually to discuss their role on the team. Boylen has experimented with playing Parker at small forward and power forward, and he said Parker had taken both roles in stride.

"Jabari has been great," Boylen said. "He understands. Jabari wants to make it about helping the team win. And that's what I've asked him to do."

With Parker, 23, out of the regular rotation, it's unlikely that the Bulls would exercise the team option on the second year of his deal. There have been no conversations between Parker and his representatives on a potential buyout, but that could become an increasing possibility closer to the trade deadline. Parker is averaging 15.8 points, 7.1 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game.

The Bulls have had a turbulent week. After suffering a 56-point loss to the Celtics on Saturday, players threatened to not show up at the Sunday practice Boylen had scheduled. The Bulls have not taken a day off in Boylen's 10 days as head coach.

In practices, players have been asked to run suicides and drop down to do push-ups, unconventional drills at the NBA level. While Boylen's directive from management is to be tough, some players view Boylen's coaching style as excessive.