Jalen Smith News, Rumors, Updates - Chicago Bulls

Starting against Phoenix Smith will start in Wednesday's preseason game against Phoenix, K.C. Johnson of Chicago Sports Network reports.

Impact Smith will start for the Bulls to begin the preseason. That trend could extend into the regular season, considering Nic Claxton (hamstring) may not be available. Smith started in 21 regular-season games during the 2025-26 campaign, averaging 12.1 points, 7.1 rebounds and 1.0 assists over 24.6 minutes per contest in those appearances.

1 DAY AGO • ROTOWIRE

Clean bill of health Smith said Thursday he is 100 percent healthy after a lingering calf issue ended last season early, per Will Gottlieb of CHGO Bulls.

Impact Smith got a chance to start for the Bulls at times in 2025-26 as they searched for Nikola Vucevic's replacement, averaging 12.1 points, 7.1 rebounds, 1.0 assists and 0.8 blocks in 24.6 minutes per tilt across 21 regular-season games as a starter last season. Now that Claxton is in the picture, Smith appears primed to revert to the No. 2 center role in 2026-27, which could cap his upside from a fantasy perspective. Availability has also been a concern for Smith throughout his career, as he's never reached the 70-game mark in any of his first six seasons and couldn't finish last year with the aforementioned calf problem.

OCTOBER 1 • ROTOWIRE

Chicago Bulls roster needs to improve at the center position for this reason Nic Claxton, Jalen Smith and Zach Collins will need to show their value given how set the Bulls seem at the guard and forward positions.

SEPTEMBER 27 • PIPPENAINTEASY.COM

The unlikely Bulls veteran who could help unlock Caleb Wilson and Matas Buzelis Jalen Smith could play a surprisingly important role in the development of Bulls cornerstones Caleb Wilson and Matas Buzelis this season.

SEPTEMBER 22 • PIPPENAINTEASY.COM

Bulls' rebuild may open the door for the Lakers to make one final offseason splash If the Lakers want to put the finishing touches on their offseason, acquiring Jalen Smith as a backup center from the Chicago Bulls could do...

SEPTEMBER 10 • LAKESHOWLIFE.COM

Jalen Smith trade rumors could save Bulls from a conundrum of their own making The bulk of the Chicago Bulls' offseason business has come to an end, but that doesn't mean there aren't still moves to be made. Notably, th...

JULY 31 • PIPPENAINTEASY.COM

The Chicago Bulls must leverage Jalen Smith's trade market into long-term value Bulls forward Jalen Smith reportedly has fans in the Los Angeles Lakers front office. The Bulls need to capitalize on Smith's demand for the...

JULY 31 • PIPPENAINTEASY.COM

Bulls Have a Solid Trade Chip in Jalen Smith, and the Lakers Might Have Interest The dog days have summer have arrived for the Chicago Bulls. The offseason started with a bang. Following another underwhelming and messy se...

JULY 28 • SI.COM

LeBron James' 76ers decision immediately gives Bulls a new trade to monitor LeBron James signing with the Philadelphia 76ers could open up a Jalen Smith trade idea with the Chicago Bulls.

JULY 24 • PIPPENAINTEASY.COM

Bill Simmons forces Suns to relieve crushing mistake that has defined their decade The Suns selecting Jalen Smith over Tyrese Haliburton back in 2020 cost Phoenix a championship according to Bill Simmons.

JULY 23 • VALLEYOFTHESUNS.COM

Jalen Smith's Bulls future looks even more bleak after recent free agency rumors The Chicago Bulls had their work cut out for them heading into this offseason. After undertaking a major roster teardown at the trade deadli...

JUNE 30 • PIPPENAINTEASY.COM

Reduced role on tap for 2026-27 Smith (calf) is in line to open 2026-27 as the backup center behind Nic Claxton (finger).

Impact Smith got a chance to start for the Bulls at times in 2025-26 as they searched for Nikola Vucevic's replacement, averaging 12.1 points, 7.1 rebounds, 1.0 assists and 0.8 blocks in 24.6 minutes per tilt across 21 regular-season games as a starter last season. Now that Claxton is in the picture, Smith appears primed to revert back to the No. 2 center role in 2026-27, which could cap his upside from a fantasy perspective. Availability has also been a concern for Smith throughout his career, as he's never reached the 70-game mark in any of his first six seasons.

JUNE 24 • ROTOWIRE

Constructing an 0-82 Phoenix Suns starting five this decade - Power Forward Jalen Smith was the bust draft pick at power forward that likely cost the Suns and NBA Championship.

JUNE 13 • VALLEYOFTHESUNS.COM

Pelicans left with no-brainer trade target after Bulls hire former executive The Pelicans have long been searching for a floor-spacing big man who can still hold down the paint, and they may be able to find exactly th...

MAY 7 • PELICANDEBRIEF.COM

Bulls' Jaden Ivey, Jalen Smith Done For Year Chicago has ruled out Bulls vets Jaden Ivey and Jalen Smith for the club's final 10 games.

MARCH 26 • BLEACHERNATION.COM

Bulls guard Jaden Ivey and forward Jalen Smith will miss the rest of the season because of injuries

Guard Jaden Ivey and forward Jalen Smith will miss the remainder of the Chicago Bulls’ season because of injuries

MARCH 26 • Associated Press

Done for season Smith (calf) will miss the remainder of the season, Joel Lorenzi of The Athletic reports.

Impact With the Bulls sitting at 29-43 on the season, the team will shut Smith down so he can tend to his lingering calf issue. He put together a solid campaign, appearing in 53 regular-season contests with averages of 10.2 points, 6.7 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 0.8 blocks and 1.5 three-pointers in 20.7 minutes per contest.

MARCH 26 • ROTOWIRE

Won't return Wednesday Smith (calf) won't return to Wednesday's game versus the 76ers, K.C. Johnson of Chicago Sports Network reports.

Impact Smith only lasted six minutes before tapping out, finishing with zero points (0-1 FG, 0-1 3Pt), one rebound and one block. For now, Smith should be viewed as doubtful for Friday's game versus the Thunder, with that one coming as the first in a back-to-back set.

MARCH 25 • ROTOWIRE

Edgecombe, 76ers take on the Bulls

Philadelphia and Chicago will face off in a matchup of Eastern Conference foes

MARCH 24 • Associated Press

Bulls race to 20-point lead in 1st quarter, hang on to beat the Rockets 132-124

Matas Buzelis’ layup in the final seconds put Chicago ahead to stay and Collin Sexton came off the bench to score 25 points as the Chicago Bulls beat the Houston Rockets 132-124

MARCH 24 • Associated Press

Won't start Monday Smith (calf) is not in the starting lineup for Monday's game against the Rockets.

Impact Smith will play despite previously being listed as questionable due to right calf injury management, but he'll be limited to 22-24 minutes, prompting the Bulls to keep Nick Richards in the starting lineup at center. In 32 games as a reserve this season, Smith is averaging 9.0 points, 6.4 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 18.1 minutes per contest.

MARCH 23 • ROTOWIRE

Will play Monday Smith (calf) is available for Monday's game against the Rockets and will be limited to 22-24 minutes, Will Gottlieb of AllCHGO.com reports.

Impact Smith will shed his questionable tag and return from a one-game absence due to right calf injury management. However, the big man will be limited, presumably allowing Nick Richards to pick up a few extra minutes. Over his last four appearances, Smith has averaged 12.3 points, 6.3 rebounds and 1.0 assists in 27.0 minutes per contest.

MARCH 23 • ROTOWIRE

Questionable Monday Smith (calf) is questionable for Monday's game against the visiting Rockets.

Impact With Guerschon Yabusele (ankle) doubtful, the Bulls need Smith on the floor. However, if Smith and Yabusele both get ruled out, Nick Richards will presumably remain in the starting lineup. Richards got the start in Thursday's loss to Cleveland, finishing with 16 points and eight rebounds in 29 minutes of work.

MARCH 22 • ROTOWIRE

Ruled out for Thursday Smith (calf) is out for Thursday's game versus the Cavs, K.C. Johnson of Chicago Sports Network reports.

Impact Smith will hit the sidelines for the second leg of this back-to-back set, but he should be able to get back out there for Monday's matchup with the Rockets. Nick Richards and Guerschon Yabusele will pick up the slack in Smith's absence.

MARCH 19 • ROTOWIRE

Listed as questionable Smith (calf) is questionable for Thursday's game against Cleveland.

Impact Smith is managing a nagging right calf strain, putting his status in jeopardy for the second leg of this back-to-back set. Nick Richards and Guerschon Yabusele would be in position to share the center minutes evenly if Smith is unable to play Thursday.

MARCH 19 • ROTOWIRE

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Bulls guard Jaden Ivey and forward Jalen Smith will miss the rest of the season because of injuries

Edgecombe, 76ers take on the Bulls

Bulls race to 20-point lead in 1st quarter, hang on to beat the Rockets 132-124