Lopez won't request buyout, wants to finish season with Bulls

Despite playing for a Chicago Bulls squad with no postseason aspirations, veteran center Robin Lopez is happy to stay right where he is ahead of the NBA's playoff eligibility waiver deadline.

"It's been so much fun playing with these guys," Lopez said Thursday, according to K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune. "It's something I want to be a part of the rest of the season."

Any players hoping to join a playoff roster must be released by March 1. Though Lopez has no championships on his resume, he's perfectly content remaining with an organization he feels is starting to turn the corner.

"There's something to be said for doing things a certain way," he said. "It's really cool what we're trying to build here right now. I think we have some great pieces on all levels - coaching level, player level. We're coming together to do something really special."

Since entering Chicago's starting lineup on Jan. 19, the 30-year-old big man has averaged 12.1 points on nearly 60 percent shooting from the field, along with 4.4 rebounds and 1.5 blocks for the 17-45 Bulls.

Lopez is earning $14.3 million this season and will be an unrestricted free agent this summer.