Chicago Bulls vice president John Paxson says there are currently no plans to buy out veteran big man Robin Lopez, according to K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune.
The Bulls were unable to trade Lopez before Thursday's trade deadline. Lopez is making $14,357,750 this season, the final year of his contract.
John Paxson said things can change but has no plans to buy out Robin Lopez. Said the talk before the trade deadline hurt market for Lopez.
— K.C. Johnson (@KCJHoop) February 7, 2019
The Bulls have a long history of not wanting to buy out contracts of players. The last time Chicago did it was back in the summer of 2017 with Dwyane Wade after the franchise traded Jimmy Butler to the Minnesota Timberwolves.
In 46 games this season, Robin Lopez is averaging 6.2 points and 2.9 rebounds per contest. The 30-year-old is shooting 53.0 percent from the field, 27.8 percent from beyond the arc and 66.7 percent from the free-throw line.
Chicago is one of the worst teams in the NBA. They are 12-42 entering Thursday, 13th place in the Eastern Conference standings.
Why wouldn't Paxson and Bulls general manager Gar Forman let Lopez play for a contender instead of forcing him to be stuck with the lowly Bulls? Who knows, but it likely has something to do with owner Jerry Reinsdorf and his distaste for losing money.
Lopez is a consummate professional, and he will come to work every day and give it his all.
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