Chicago Bulls Jalen Smith trade rumors, Digi Mart USA News: The Chicago Bulls were always going to face trade rumors this season. With the organization starting over, new front office leader Bryson Graham has made it clear that the franchise is open for business.
The Bulls have a few interesting young pieces to evaluate, but the team is in a rebuild and is not yet ready to contend at a high level. Graham added several veteran players on movable deals this offseason, including Norman Powell, Buddy Hield and Nic Claxton, who are likely to become trade assets.
Those players will also help the young core develop in the meantime.
The Bulls have started the season 1-8, which has increased trade chatter. ESPN has pitched a mid-season idea that would send Jalen Smith to the Los Angeles Lakers in an effort to improve their frontcourt.
The proposed return package is merely Jaden Hardy and two second-round picks.
Smith’s name has come up in trade speculation before, and the publisher’s report says ESPN’s idea reflects how well he has played. Last season he was a solid trade candidate as a reserve, showing versatility at the four and five, and he earned a modest $9.0 million.
One season later, Smith is on an expiring contract, earning about $500,000 more, and is playing what the report calls arguably the best basketball of his career. The 26-year-old moved into the starting role after Nic Claxton suffered a hamstring strain in training camp.
Despite the team’s record, Smith has the highest Estimated Plus-Minus on the team, according to Dunks & Threes.
Smith is averaging 11.7 points, 7.8 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game. His three-point efficiency has not matched last year’s clip of 29.5 percent, but the report expects it to rise.
He has also been strong near the rim, with a 71.8 percent success rate on two-point shots, which is by far a career high.
The report argues Smith fits well with how this Bulls team wants to play, alongside forwards such as Caleb Wilson and Matas Buzelis. He runs the floor, spaces the floor with confidence and is decisive with the ball, traits that would also suit many other teams.
The author argues the Bulls should be open to all offers but should not accept second-round picks and a throwaway player. A first-round pick or another young building block would warrant a conversation.
Anything less should push the team toward an extension rather than a trade.
Bryson Graham and his front office face their first major decision of this kind. The report notes that the Bulls have time to make the right choice, and that this season is about development more than wins and losses, which gives the team leverage in its patience.
