After acquiring Nic Claxton this offseason and retaining Zach Collins on a new contract, the Bulls suddenly have an abundance of talent in the frontcourt. While depth is never a bad thing, it creates a difficult, key question heading into the 2026-27 season.

Where does Jalen Smith fit?

Smith quietly put together one of the most efficient seasons of his career in 2025-26. In 53 games, the 26-year-old averaged 10.2 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 1.2 assists while shooting 48.3 percent from the field and 37.3 percent from beyond the arc. For a backup big, those numbers are more than respectable. Smith has established himself as a reliable rebounder, a capable floor spacer, and a player who can provide productive minutes whenever his name is called.

The problem lies not within Smith’s production, but rather, the Bulls’ roster construction.

Claxton is expected to take over as Chicago’s starting center, bringing the rim protection, athleticism, and defensive versatility the Bulls have been searching for. Behind him is Collins, who earned a two-year extension after proving he could be an effective contributor in Chicago’s frontcourt.

That leaves Smith fighting for minutes in what has suddenly become one of the team’s deepest positions.

New head coach Tiago Splitter has already emphasized that he'll build his system around his players rather than forcing players into a rigid system.

“You’ve got to adapt your system to the players you have,” Splitter said during his introductory press conference. “Yes, I have a vision. I have a certain way I want to play. But you also have to explore what they do best, and that’s what we’re going to do here.”

That philosophy should help every player maximize their strengths, but it doesn’t solve the minutes crunch. Even if Splitter experiments with different frontcourt combinations, there are only so many meaningful minutes available at center.

Unless Chicago consistently plays multiple bigs together, someone will inevitably see their role shrink.

Right now, Smith appears to be the odd man out.

Trading Jalen Smith wouldn’t be an indictment of his game, it would simply be smart asset management.

Smith checks nearly every box contenders look for in a backup center. Smith has shown he can rebound well, stretch the floor at nearly 37 percent from three-point range, all while playing on a team-friendly contract. Players with that combination of production and affordability always generate interest around the league.

Rather than allowing Smith's value to decrease while playing fewer minutes, the Bulls could capitalize on his current market and address another area of need.

The timing also aligns with the philosophy of Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations Bryson Graham.

During his introductory press conference, Graham made it clear that every player on the roster would be evaluated objectively.

"You're going to listen on every player," Graham said. “‘'m not going to sit here and say anyone on this roster is untouchable... we’re going to come in and look at this thing holistically.”

That represents a refreshing approach for a franchise entering a new era.

If Graham truly intends to maximize every asset, Smith becomes one of Chicago’s most logical trade candidates. His production, age, and affordable contract make him an attractive piece for teams looking to strengthen their frontcourt, while the Bulls could use the return to add future draft capital or improve another position on the roster.

Of course, there are compelling reasons to keep Smith as well.

Depth wins games over the course of an 82-game season.

Claxton has dealt with injuries during his career, and Collins has also missed extended stretches of time in previous seasons. If either player were unavailable, Smith could immediately step into a significant role without the Bulls experiencing a major drop-off.

He’s also versatile enough to play both center and power forward depending on the matchup, giving Splitter additional flexibility throughout the season.

For a team hoping to establish a new identity under its revamped front office and coaching staff, having three capable centers may not be the worst problem to have.

If the Bulls decide to move Smith, several contenders could emerge as logical trade partners.

The Los Angeles Lakers have consistently searched for dependable frontcourt depth. Smith’s ability to rebound, defend, and knock down perimeter shots would complement their star-driven roster.

The Golden State Warriors value mobile bigs who can defend in space and keep the floor spread offensively. Smith’s skill set fits the style of basketball Steve Kerr has built for years.

The New York Knicks could also make sense. As an Eastern Conference contender, coming off of a Finals victory, adding another dependable frontcourt player would strengthen their bench while providing insurance throughout a long season.

Jalen Smith has done everything asked of him. He’s developed into one of the league’s more reliable backup big men and remains a valuable contributor on both ends of the floor.

But Nic Claxton’s arrival has changed the equation.

Chicago suddenly has more quality centers than available minutes, making Smith one of the roster's most valuable trade chips.

If Bryson Graham is serious about evaluating every asset and building this roster with the future in mind, trading Smith for meaningful value could be one of the smartest moves the Bulls make before the season begins.

However, if that offer never materializes, keeping one of the NBA’s better backup centers is hardly a bad outcome.

The difficult question is this: whether Smith is more valuable wearing a Bulls jersey, or helping shape the franchise’s future through a trade.