Trade deadline misses for the Chicago Bulls: Jalen Smith
A big looming need that Karnisovas and Eversley looked like they wanted to address at the trade deadline for the Bulls was adding depth to the frontcourt unit. It doesn’t look like the coaching staff and/or Karnisovas and Eversley were satisfied with what they have at the four and five out of the likes of backup center Tony Bradley, forward Troy Brown Jr., rookie big man Marko Simonovic, etc., so far this season.
That’s why acquiring someone like the former Phoenix Suns and Maryland Terrapins rising big man Jalen Smith would’ve made so much sense for the Bulls. Instead the young and potent power forward/center went from the Suns to the Central Division foe Indiana Pacers around the trade deadline this year.
All the Pacers had to send to the Suns to land Smith was a second-round draft pick and veteran wing Torrey Craig. That seems like a nice snag for the Pacers at the deadline, who landed a number of young and potent pieces in the last week or so.
An equivalent return from the Bulls to get someone like Smith could’ve either been TBJ and one other piece or just DJJ.
The Bulls looked like they wanted to add rebounding, rim protection, and inside scoring to bring more depth to the frontcourt unit around the deadline. Landing Smith would’ve just brought the added bonus of future growth in his game if the Bulls brought him to Chicago.
But there is still a chance for the Bulls to bring more depth to the frontcourt unit if they can get someone like the Pacers and former Sacramento Kings big man Tristan Thompson or former Brooklyn Nets veteran power forward Paul Millsap by way of the buyout market.