Jalen Smith’s journey with the Chicago Bulls has been a rollercoaster, marked by opportunity, setback, and a renewed chance to prove himself. A year ago, the 6-foot-9 center signed a three-year, $27 million contract to serve as the backup to starting center Nikola Vučević. The role seemed tailor-made for Smith, who delivered steady production in the first half of the 2024-25 season, averaging 8.4 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 0.7 blocks in just 15 minutes per game. His reliability and ability to match the Bulls’ fast-paced offense made him a valuable asset off the bench.
However, the NBA is a league where roles can shift in an instant, and Smith learned this firsthand. At the February 3 trade deadline, the Bulls acquired Zach Collins, a physical, defense-oriented center, in a three-team trade that sent Zach LaVine to the Sacramento Kings. Two weeks later, Smith suffered a concussion after a hard hit in a game against the New York Knicks, sidelining him for three games. In his absence, Collins seized the opportunity, excelling in the backup role and claiming Smith’s spot in the rotation. Smith’s playing time became inconsistent, fluctuating from 26 minutes in one game to being a healthy scratch just days later. He was held out of nine of the Bulls’ final 31 games with a “coach’s decision” designation, a sudden and humbling shift.
“It was out of my control,” Smith said, reflecting on the situation. “I got a concussion, Zach started playing well. If I was the coach, I would’ve made the same decision. You can’t be salty over stuff like that. This is a big-boy’s league.”
Rather than harboring resentment, Smith has embraced the challenge of reclaiming his role as the Bulls’ backup center. The opportunity arrived sooner than expected when Collins suffered a fractured left wrist during training camp, requiring surgery on October 18, 2025. With Collins sidelined for at least the first four weeks of the season, Smith has stepped back into the No. 2 center role, determined to make the most of it.
The Bulls’ shift in focus this season plays to Smith’s strengths and offers a clear path to solidifying his place in the rotation. Last season, Chicago struggled defensively, allowing a league-worst 54 points per game in the paint. The team’s emphasis on an up-tempo offense deprioritized the center position to some extent, but this year, the Bulls are zeroing in on improving their defense, particularly in protecting the rim. For Smith, this means stepping up as a physical presence in the paint, an area where Collins had previously thrived due to his aggressive, contact-heavy style.
“We were one of the worst teams at protecting the rim last year,” Smith acknowledged. “That’s something we want to improve on, not allowing teams to completely walk into the paint.”
At 6-foot-9, Smith may not have the size of some of the NBA’s towering centers, but he’s eager to embrace a bruising, physical approach to defense. “That’s the best thing about basketball — getting to hit,” he said with a grin. “It’s just that bump and grind. This is what we live for. This is what we do as kids, outside in the park.” By channeling that childhood joy and physicality, Smith aims to make opponents think twice before driving to the basket.
The Bulls’ defensive struggles extend beyond the center position. Paint scoring often stems from poor rotations and lackluster activity from guards and wings at the point of attack. While Vučević and Smith aren’t known for elite one-on-one defense or guarding over-the-top plays, Collins’ physicality provided a stark contrast last season, creating a more formidable barrier at the rim. For Smith to secure his role long-term, he’ll need to emulate that intensity while leveraging his own strengths, such as his versatility and ability to keep up with the Bulls’ fast-paced system.
The team’s confidence in its offense, which flourished last season under the leadership of Coby White and Josh Giddey, has set the stage for a defensive overhaul. Team defense, with the center as the final line of protection, is critical to addressing Chicago’s paint-scoring woes. Smith’s ability to anchor the second unit defensively while contributing to the team’s up-tempo style will be key to holding off Collins when he returns from injury.
For now, the backup center role is Smith’s to lose. His performance in the early weeks of the season, starting with the Bulls’ home opener against the Detroit Pistons on October 22, 2025, will be crucial. Smith’s mindset reflects the resilience required in the NBA, where opportunities can vanish as quickly as they appear. “You can’t take anything for granted,” he said, a lesson learned from last season’s unexpected demotion.
As Smith steps into the spotlight, he’s ready to embrace the challenge with the same tenacity he honed on playgrounds as a kid. Whether he can hold onto the role once Collins returns remains to be seen, but for now, Jalen Smith is determined to make his mark — one bump, one grind, and one defensive stop at a time.