It has been a frustratingly quiet offseason for the Chicago Bulls.
So far, it has been the same old story from the front office of Arturas Karnisovas and Marc Eversley, leaving the team locked into mediocrity. The Bulls drafted Noa Essengue with their first-round pick and traded Lonzo Ball for Isaac Okoro, while Josh Giddey's future in Chicago remains uncertain as sides have yet to agree on a long-term contract extension.
Regardless of what happens with Giddey, the Bulls seem dead set on being a play-in team for the foreseeable future. Much to the frustration of their fans, the team continues to hold onto its veterans for far too long, with Nikola Vucevic being the last example.
At this point, it's obvious that the Bulls will not move on from the veteran center since his trade value has tanked thanks to the combination of his age, contract, and performance.
Bulls C/PF Jalen Smith Should Be on the Trade Block in Chicago
Yet, there is another big man on Chicago's roster who may be more tradeable. Jalen Smith, whose path to playing time is a difficult one, should firmly be on the trade block this summer.
Behind Vucevic, Chicago is locked into Zach Collins and his disastrous $18 million salary for next season, making him virtually impossible to trade. This makes Smith a third-string center with $9 million cap hit for the 2025-26 season, and that will look like an even bigger albatross if he plays limited minutes.
While Smith is not the most exciting player on either end of the floor, he is a serviceable backup with some upside at age 25. The former Maryland product has averaged 8.5 points and 5.3 rebounds while shooting 50.5% from the floor and 33.2% from three-point distance in 271 career games (56 starts).
Smith has shown flashes of his ability to shoot, switch out on the perimeter, and guard multiple positions. He may be slightly overpaid on his new deal thanks to the contract he signed with Chicago last offseason, but there should still be interest for a young two-way center.
If the Bulls find any suitors for Smith, they should seriously consider moving him for any draft compensation, something they have failed to do in several other trades.
