Chicago Bulls head coach Jim Boylen and center Robin Lopez concurred that there are no plans to buy out the 7-foot center before Friday's deadline that would make him eligible to play in the playoffs if acquired by another team, according to K.C. Johnson of The Chicago Tribune.

Lopez had once been a serious trade and buyout candidate as the oldest member of the roster after Justin Holiday was traded to the Memphis Grizzlies.

Teams like the Golden State Warriors expressed interest in the Stanford product if he would become available in the buyout market, but the Bulls had been intent on potentially moving him in a trade. With the deadline well past, Lopez has carved up some minutes under Boylen and recently enjoyed a pair of 20-plus-point games.

Article Continues Below
More Chicago Bulls News
Chicago Bulls center Nikola Vucevic (9) shoots the ball against the Philadelphia 76ers in the second quarter at Wells Fargo Center.
Ranking the top 3 Nikola Vucevic trade destinationsScotty White ·
Chicago Bulls head coach Billy Donovan gestures to his team against the Washington Wizards during the first quarter at United Center.
Bulls reject Knicks’ Billy Donovan interview requestRichard Pereira ·
Chicago Bulls forward Lonzo Ball (2) hits a three point shot against Toronto Raptors guard Jamal Shead (23) during overtime at the United Center.
Ranking the top 3 Lonzo Ball trade destinationsScotty White ·
Chicago Bulls forward Lonzo Ball (2) hits a three point shot against Toronto Raptors guard Jamal Shead (23) during overtime at the United Center.
Bulls Lonzo Ball grabs attention after ‘Tweaker’ BET Awards performance with LiAngeloGuillermo Guajardo ·
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Alex Caruso (9) dribbles down the court against Chicago Bulls guard Josh Giddey (3) during the second quarter at Paycom Center.
NBA rumors: Bulls could’ve gotten more from Alex Caruso-Josh Giddey tradeScotty White ·
Chicago Bulls chairman Jerry Reinsdorf holds the NBA championship trophy before the game between the Chicago White Sox and New York Yankees at US Cellular Field.
Bulls rumors: Will Jerry Reinsdorf sell franchise after White Sox decision?Preston Byers ·

Lopez went from playing light minutes at the end of January to watch his health to logging as many as a season-high 40 minutes against the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday, despite scoring only four points in the outing.

The 7-footer did have a season-high five rejections against Memphis, a likely reason he has endeared himself to Boylen and the rest of his teammates, as a constant defensive presence in the paint.

Lopez is unlikely to be part of the Bulls' future plans, but for now he is a fit under Boylen's defense-preaching system and a likely nightly nod until it's time to give young players some run at the end of the season.