On July 8th, 2024, Jalen Smith signed a three-year, $27 million contract with the Chicago Bulls. This came two weeks after he declined his player option to remain with Indiana and took a slight pay cut to test the market. If he had stayed in Indiana, he would’ve made closer to $10 million this year rather than the $9 million average salary over the next three years. At only 24 years old with five years of NBA experience under his belt, coming off a career-best year shooting nearly 60% from the field and over 42% from three-point land, this was a slam dunk free agency add for the Bulls. After letting Andre Drummond walk, Chicago was in the market for a backup center and got a young stretch five that agreed to a team-friendly deal. How has his first chunk of games gone, and is he fulfilling expectations for Billy Donovan and company?
Jalen Smith added another young asset to a core that is primarily under the age of 25. Outside of Zach LaVine and Nikola Vucevic, who are currently being dangled in trade talks, the rest of the significant pieces for Chicago are under 25 and as young as 20. Smith adds another versatile player who can shoot the three-point ball at an average rate for a power forward, can stretch to the center position and play small, faced pace ball when needed, and has held his own defensively against opposing bigs. If he can develop into a starting center, mainly after Vucevic has departed, he’ll be the cheapest starting center in the league. If things don’t work out or he has already reached full potential, he’s an inexpensive, solid bench option to play the four or five.
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Improving Back To His 2023 Version
Smith has regressed to his career averages through the first quarter of the year after an outstanding last season. For the first time in his young career, he’s played over 60 games in back-to-back years and can hopefully sustain that durability in Chicago. Through 17 outings, his field goal percentage is down 13%, and his three-point clip down 4%, while his points, rebounds, and assists have each slightly dipped from his Indiana days. Like a typical up-and-coming player, he has flashes of starting-caliber talent and other nights where he struggles mightily. He’s scored ten or more in six games, had seven or more rebounds in three, and made at least one three-point field goal in 12, including two or more three-point makes in six. When he finds his proper role and footing in Chicago, the ability to stretch the floor and guard multiple positions will be a lethal weapon for Billy Donovan’s lineup.
Overall, Smith is a perfect addition at an ideal price for the Chicago Bulls. In the next three years, we will see a gradual improvement from the former Phoenix Sun’s first-round pick at a negligible price tag. As he gains comfort and finds his three-point efficiency again, this could easily be the best addition for the Bulls from last offseason.
