Although not an exact replica of last season's squad, the Chicago Bulls' start to the 2024-25 season is eerily reminiscent of the 2023-24 iteration. Through 14 games a season ago, the Bulls managed just five wins—the same as this season's total.
Following last season's 5-9 start, the Bulls proceeded to lose the next six games, including two In-Season Tournament contests. While things picked up in December, the 6-14 start to the season was too challenging to overcome by January. The Bulls held the ninth seed in the standings by January 8 and never relinquished that spot, eventually losing to the Miami Heat in the play-in tournament.
Just two months after the Heat ended the Bulls' season, Chicago made one of the most interesting offseason trades, swapping 30-year-old defensive stalwart Alex Caruso for 22-year-old Josh Giddey. Acquiring Giddey signified the first steps of a potential rebuild for the downtrodden Bulls just days before the 2024 NBA Draft.
Lottery bound for the sixth time in seven seasons, Chicago decided to add a high-upside forward in the draft—Matas Buzelis. Selecting the former G-League Ignite star further hinted at a rebuild. At 20 years old, Buzelis was Chicago's youngest draft pick since Dalen Terry and its highest since fellow forward Patrick Williams.
After several notable additions prior to free agency, the rest of the offseason was mum in Chicago. The Bulls re-signed Adama Sonogo to a two-way contract, added Jalen Smtih to a three-year deal, and later signed numerous players to training camp deals. The most significant transaction happened to be a departure, sending DeMar DeRozan in a three-team sign-and-trade to the Sacramento Kings. The Bulls acquired Chris Duarte upon shipping off the 35-year-old wing.
Although almost as nondescript as the beginning of the season, the offseason paved the way for a new era in Chicago. Out with the old and in with the new appeared to be the theme in the Windy City. Only three players who will be 30 years or older by the end of the season remain on the roster. However, two of them could be traded by February. Despite the lack of notable additions, we've graded both of Chicago's marquee free-agent signings a month into the season.
Jalen Smith has performed up to expectations, albeit better on defense
Signing Smith to a three-year, $27 million was easily the most significant contract Chicago shelled out in the offseason. A former top-10 draft pick, the 6-foot-10 big never lived up to his draft status in Phoenix and was shipped off to Indiana after one and a half seasons in the desert. However, Smith revived his value suiting up for the Pacers, averaging 10.2 points, 6.0 rebounds, and drilling nearly 35 percent of his triples.
The Bulls decided to sign Smith to his biggest pay-day to date following his tenure in Indiana. In return, Smith has averaged 7.6 points and 5.1 rebounds per game in 12 appearances. The former Pacer has connected on 43.8 percent of his field goals and 35.0 percent of his triples. Stuck behind Nikola Vucevic, Jalen has averaged a mere 14.5 minutes per game.
Although $9 million per season feels a bit steep for a player averaging less than 15 minutes per game, Smith has played well this season. Chicago is far better with Jalen on the court. The Bulls are nearly 12 points per 100 possessions better with Smith on the floor. What's most surprising is that the Bulls' opponents score 11.3 fewer points when Smith is in the lineup. His individual defensive contributions don't paint the same picture, but he's held up on the less glamorous end.
All in all, as the 183rd-highest-paid player in the NBA, Smith's salary isn't taking a toll on Chicago's payroll, but it's certainly not a discount. Smith appears to be a reliable reserve, capable of scoring double-digit points in less than 20 minutes of action. The only redundancy is his similarities with Chicago's starting big man. Perhaps retaining Andre Drummond or signing a shot-blocking five may have filled the Bulls' needs better. If Smith were to receive a grade, it'd be a B through the first month of the season.
Horton-Tucker has looked the part in limited action
Aside from Smith, the only other notable free agent signing playing quality minutes for the Bulls is Talen Horton-Tucker. A Chicago native, Horton-Tucker, returned to Windy City after three seasons in Los Angeles and two in Salt Lake City. The former second-round pick has appeared in 257 contests yet is still only 23 years old.
Chicago signed Horton-Tucker to a minimum salary worth $2.45 million in the offseason. Thus far, the 6-foot-4 guard has averaged 4.8 points, 2.1 boards, and 1.4 assists in 9.5 minutes per game. Of Chicago's 14 games, Horton-Tucker has appeared in 10. His best game came against the Minnesota Timberwolves. In 18 minutes, Horton-Tucker dropped 13 points, and he hauled in five rebounds.
Like Smith, the Bulls are far better when Horton-Tucker is on the floor. The Bulls are 4.4 points better offensively and 4.8 points per 100 possessions better defensively with Talen in the lineup. Although the sample size is small, Horton-Tucker ranks second in net rating amongst all Bulls to see 50 or more minutes of playing time this season. He trails only Jalen Smith.
It's difficult to grade Horton-Tucker, but his impact is undeniable. He's shooting the ball well, scoring in limited opportunities, and holding his opponents in check on the defensive end. An extended role may highlight Horton-Tucker's deficiencies to a greater extent. Nevertheless, a 10-15 minute per game role has suited the combo guard well. If Horton-Tucker were to be graded, he'd also receive a B this season.