Jalen Smith is getting another shot to be the Bulls‘ primary backup center after Zach Collins underwent surgery on October 18 to repair a non-displaced fracture in his left wrist, writes Julia Poe of The Chicago Tribune.
As Poe details, Smith signed a three-year, $27MM contract with Chicago during the 2024 offseason and opened 2024/25 as the main backup to Nikola Vucevic. He initially lost the job due to an injury: he suffered a concussion in February, and Collins — who was acquired earlier that month in the three-team deal that sent Zach LaVine to Sacramento — thrived while Smith was out.
“At the end of the day, this is a big-boy’s league,” Smith said. “You can’t be salty over stuff like that. It was out of my control. I got a concussion, Zach started playing well. If I was the coach, I would’ve made the same decision.”
While Smith harbors no ill will over the demotion, he’s determined to reclaim the role this season. The 25-year-old big man went 0-of-7 from the field in 14 minutes in Wednesday’s opener, but bounced back with 16 points on 6-of-8 shooting in 17 minutes during Saturday’s victory in Orlando.
Here’s more on the Bulls, who are now 2-0 after Saturday’s win:
- Matas Buzelis‘ foul trouble created an opportunity for Patrick Williams on Saturday, and the former No. 4 overall pick took advantage with an assertive performance on both ends of the court, according to Poe. Williams finished with 12 points, five rebounds, four assists and two steals in 29 minutes. “I think I played good ball — but most importantly, we won,” Williams said. “That’s kind of how I judge myself, no matter how I played. If we win, great. If we lost, I didn’t do enough.”
- Tre Jones, who re-signed with the Bulls on a three-year, $24MM contract over the summer, continues to play well with Coby White (calf strain) out. The 25-year-old point guard was a game-high plus-17 on Saturday while recording 13 points, eight assists, five rebounds and a career-high five steals in 29 minutes, Poe notes.
- In an interview with DJ Siddiqi of RG.org, second-year forward Buzelis discusses his individual and team goals for 2025/26, players he looked up to growing up, and more.
Gotta call em like I see them and after Buzelis completely took the pipe on Saturday Williams did step up and fill the hole. He was actually pretty good. Wonder if he can keep doing it though? Consistency isn’t exactly his long suit.
I didn’t watch the game due to the World Series. Mike, how was his overall play yesterday? Based on your eyes?
If he played like that all the time I wouldn’t have much to say. He shot well, Hustled on defense and basically looked like Buzelis did in game 1. Buzelis was horrible on Saturday he fouled everybody and missed 2 dunks. Williams filled the hole. It would certainly add to an already deep bench when Collins comes back if he can keep it up but I guess we’ll see.
Agree Mike, I was pleasantly surprised by Williams , the main thing was he didn’t look like he was sleepwalking as he usually does. Was aggressive crashing the boards , poking at the ball, and made a bunch of cuts. Obv the Kawhi comp is laughable but no reason he can’t be a productive role player if he keeps that up.
Love what I’ve seen from the guards so far too. Huerter is steady, Ayo has been awesome (we’d better keep him — there’s a reason everyone’s trying to trade for him), and jones has been a breath of fresh air. Elephant in the room imo is that I rly don’t know how Coby fits back in. That may sound silly but I think his touches would detract from how fluid the offense has been so far.
You are right that , as you’ve said, we already should have traded him. Not good enough defensively to complement Giddey. But regardless, these first 2 games have been encouraging. Once we eventually (mercifully) replace Vuc w a rim protector/lob threat then there might be the start of something.
I said it the other day the Bulls need Collins back much more than Coby. Coby is one dimensional and the Bulls have a lot of guys with better all around skills than him. Collins plays D and can cover 2 positions that the Bulls are pretty thin at. IF, And it’s a big if Jaylen Smith plays like he did Saturday the Bulls depth suddenly is an asset up front. Not really sure what to make of Okoro as he looked pretty good in he Pre season but when the lights went on he checked out basically. Not sure he’s worth any more at the deadline either. Not sure he’s worth more at the deadline either.
At this point the best the Bulls can hope for as Coby is concerned is that he can make more money in a sign and trade like with DeRozan so they get at least something back since they missed the boat on moving him. They made the same mistake with LaVine so you’d think they’d learn eventually. I don’t know the rules on what Coby’s earning potential contract wise are as a FA so maybe I’ll ask that one in the chat tomorrow.