Parker given 'no reason' for being dropped from Bulls' rotation

Four-and-a-half years removed from his No. 2 overall selection in the 2014 draft, Jabari Parker's fresh start with the Chicago Bulls after four injury-riddled seasons with the Milwaukee Bucks isn't going too well.

Sources told ESPN's Malika Andrews that Parker would not remain in the Bulls' rotation moving forward. After playing just 4:10 in the Chicago Bulls' 97-91 road loss to the Orlando Magic on Thursday night, those murmurs were proven true.

After the game, Parker said he received "no reason" for the change in role, except that it was what new Bulls head coach Jim Boylen wanted, according to the Chicago Tribune's K.C. Johnson.

A source told Johnson that Parker's contributions on the defensive end had drawn the ire of his hard-nosed bench boss. Parker previously stated that teams don't pay players to play defense.

Still, the 23-year-old does not view his demotion as a long-term change.

"Everybody is telling me the truth - to stay ready," Parker said. "They’re not telling me things I want to hear. They’re not pointing fingers. And personally, I know I’ve done my job to embrace Jim as the head coach. I’ve been nothing but welcoming of him. I'll continue that."

A few of his teammates have not been as welcoming to Boylen, who immediately instilled a grueling practice schedule and atypical in-game tactics upon his promotion on Dec. 3 in the wake of Fred Hoiberg's dismissal. The locker room narrowly avoided a full-blown mutiny against the first-time NBA head coach on Dec. 9 after players reportedly considered not showing up to scheduled practice.