NBA free agency started with a dud but has finally gotten going, including the first signing by the Chicago Bulls.
The Bulls have reportedly signed free-agent center/forward Jalen Smith to a three-year deal according to Adrian Wojnarowski:
Free agent center Jalen Smith has agreed on a three-year, $27 million contract with the Chicago Bulls, sources tell ESPN. Smith’s agents at @KlutchSports reached deal with Bulls front office overnight. pic.twitter.com/rxox7tQ5fZ
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 1, 2024
This is on the heels of signing Patrick Williams to a new deal, which was a risk for Chicago, but one they probably had to take.
The Bulls also let Andre Drummond walk in free agency, which makes more sense now that Smith is on board, but it also makes the Bulls look even worse for not dealing Drummond at the deadline when they reportedly could have nabbed three second-round picks for his services.
Instead, they let him leave for nothing (which may be a theme this offseason) and turned their attention to Jalen Smith. Was this a great value signing for the Bulls or just another guy eating up a roster spot?
Jalen Smith fills multiple needs for the Chicago Bulls
After ending things with Drummond, the Bulls needed more depth at center, so Smith fills an immediate need as a guy who can play both big man spots.
The Bulls are still trying to move Nikola Vucevic, and if they do, Smith could slot in as the starter.
He averaged just under 10 points per game last season with the best shooting splits of his career, hitting 59 percent from the field and nearly 42 percent from 3-point range.
His 3-point shooting could be a weapon for a team that badly needs shooters who can space the floor. He’ll be an immediate help whether the Bulls bring back Vucevic or not.
And three years, $27 million is a value deal for a 24-year-old who fits the timeline of the other young players.
Smith’s biggest issue has been staying on the floor, as he’s never played more than 68 games in a season in his career and played just 61 in this one.
The Bulls are paying him role-player money, so even if he misses games, he should provide value on this deal. If he stays healthy, this looks like a major win for the Bulls.
I also like that Chicago stole him from a division rival in the Indiana Pacers, who couldn’t bring Smith back after already re-signing Obi Toppin.
What’s next for the Chicago Bulls in free agency?
It’s hard to predict what the Bulls will do next until we know how the DeMar DeRozan situation pans out.
With Paul George going to Philly, other teams might turn their attention to DeRozan, though there are few who have the cap space to offer him a big deal and sign-and-trades will be tricky given the restrictions of the second apron.
Once that domino falls and the Bulls either have DeRozan locked up or suddenly have some cap space to spend, we’ll know which direction they are headed.