Bulls Look to Jalen Smith as Primary Backup Center Following Zach Collins’ Wrist Surgery
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CHICAGO — The Bulls have turned to Jalen Smith for backup minutes behind Nikola Vučević after Zach Collins underwent surgery on October 18 to repair a non-displaced fracture in his left wrist.
Smith, 25, signed a three-year, $27 million deal with Chicago during the 2024 offseason and opened the 2024-25 campaign as the club’s No. 2 center. He lost the role in February when a concussion sidelined him and Collins — acquired that same month in the three-team trade that sent Zach LaVine to Sacramento — excelled in his absence.
“At the end of the day, this is a big-boys league,” Smith said of the demotion. “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.”
Smith went 0-for-7 in 14 minutes during Wednesday’s season opener but rebounded with 16 points on 6-of-8 shooting in 17 minutes of Saturday’s road win in Orlando. Chicago improved to 2-0 with the victory.
Williams Steps Up
Foul trouble for second-year forward Matas Buzelis opened the door for Patrick Williams on Saturday. The former No. 4 overall pick responded 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.
Jones Shines With White Sidelined
Point guard Tre Jones, who re-signed on a three-year, $24 million contract this summer, posted 13 points, eight assists, five rebounds and a career-high five steals in 29 minutes Saturday. He recorded a game-best plus-17 while Coby White remained out with a calf strain.
Buzelis Shares 2025-26 Goals
In an interview with DJ Siddiqi of RG.org, Buzelis discussed his objectives for the 2025-26 season and the players he admired while growing up.
Source: HoopsRumors
