Chicago Bulls Reportedly Sign New Player in NBA Free Agency
It was announced on Monday by ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski that the Denver Nuggets had agreed to a deal in free agency with former Indiana Pacers center Jalen Smith. Smith was selected 10th overall by the Phoenix Suns in the 2020 NBA Draft, but played just 56 games for the Suns before being traded to the Pacers.
Having spent the last three seasons in Indiana, Smith has appeared in 151 games, averaging 10.2 points per game, 6.0 rebounds per game, and 1.0 assist per game in 19.0 minutes per game. Smith has started 54 of his 207 career NBA games, and could perhaps compete for a starting spot in Chicago next season depending on how the rest of their summer goes.
Jalen Smith is a 24 year old 6’10 center and shot 43% from 3s.
— Die-Hard Chicago Bulls Fans (@DieHardCBfans) July 1, 2024
Great pickup. pic.twitter.com/Rfgl8ev8p6
This is a nice pick up for the Bulls, as they are clearly attempting to pivot in a new direction this summer. While Chicago still has decisions to make on Zach LaVine and star free agent DeMar DeRozan, it seems this roster will look very different next season.
The Bulls have been stuck in mediocrity for several seasons, and while there is no clear path out of it for Chicago, they seem to be attempting somewhat of a rebuild. This cannot be officially signified until LaVine is moved, but that seems to be the goal for Chicago this NBA offseason.
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JOEY LINN
Joey Linn is a credentialed writer covering the NBA for Sports Illustrated's FanNation. Covering the LA Clippers independently in 2018, then for Fansided and 213Hoops from 2019-2021, Joey joined Sports Illustrated's FanNation to cover the Clippers after the 2020-21 season. Graduating from Biola University in 2022 with a Communication Studies degree, Joey served as Biola's play-by-play announcer for their basketball, baseball, softball, and soccer teams during his time in school. Joey's work on Biola's broadcasts, combined with his excellence in the classroom, earned him the Outstanding Communication Studies Student of the year award in 2022. Joey covers the NBA full-time across multiple platforms, primarily serving as a credentialed Clippers beat writer.