Chicago Bulls big man Jalen Smith has been making the most of his opportunities with Nicolas Claxton sidelined by injury. He's stepped into the starting lineup and looked the part of a nightly double-double threat, thriving in some of the same areas the Los Angeles Lakers are struggling to find consistency.
As such, the Lakers should be doing a thorough evaluation of Smith and how legitimate his breakout is relative to what they need from a center.
Los Angeles was linked to Smith earlier this year when Dan Woike of The Athletic reported that he "has some fans within the organization." That by no means guarantees that the Lakers will pursue a trade, nor does it make him an easily definable fit.
Smith is, after all, undersized at 6'8" and not necessarily known for his defensive prowess—two factors that could ultimately deter Los Angeles' interest.
Furthermore, Smith is owed an expiring $9,428,571. That's appealing from the perspective of not having to shell out guaranteed money, but it also means that Los Angeles will have to match a fairly decent salary. Though reserve sharpshooter Jaden Hardy could help in that regard, there may ultimately need to be draft compensation involved in a trade for a player who will be a free agent in 2027.
In the event that the Lakers land on Smith as their ideal trade target, however, they'd be getting a skilled big who at least fits a Luka Doncic system on paper.
Jalen Smith could be an ideal backup big for the Lakers to pursue
It's only been five games, but the 26-year-old big man is currently averaging 13.4 points, 8.2 rebounds, 2.6 offensive boards, 1.8 assists, and 0.8 blocks in 23.4 minutes per game. He's also burying 1.8 three-point field goals per contest.
Smith's production may or may not prove unsustainable, but it's worth noting that he finished the 2025-26 season with averages of 10.2 points, 6.7 rebounds, 1.8 offensive boards, 1.2 assists, 0.8 blocks, and 1.5 threes in 20.7 minutes per game on .483/.373/.742 shooting.
As a floor-spacing big, Smith could help the Lakers optimize their offensive system with Doncic and Austin Reaves thriving as downhill scorers and playmakers. Smith could also play next to center Walker Kessler against two-big lineups, as well as Sandro Mamukelashvili if he proves himself on defense.
There's certainly reason for intrigue on that front, as Smith finished the 2025-26 season in the 95th percentile in rim protection, the 98th percentile in post defense, and the 93rd percentile in overall screener defense, per Basketball Index.
If Smith can make that success last, then the Lakers could land a backup center whom they can ideally re-sign next summer. That's the risk here, however, as Los Angeles has already burned four second-round picks over the past two seasons on two players who walked in free agency mere months after they were acquired: Dorian Finney-Smith and Luke Kennard.
One simply can't help but notice how Smith's energy, intensity, and production have made him a breakout player with the Bulls and a potential fit for the Lakers.
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