Bulls Want Jalen Smith's Three-Point Shooting to Stick This Season

Why Jalen Smith Matters to the Bulls' Plans

Big men who can actually shoot from deep are basically gold in today's NBA, and the Bulls think they might have one quietly developing in Jalen Smith. Chicago is hoping the early returns on his floor-spacing ability aren't a fluke, but a real weapon they can lean on all season.

Smith has carved out a reputation around the league as a 'stretch big' — a player who can hold down the frontcourt defensively while also pulling opposing centers away from the rim on offense. That combination is exactly what modern NBA coaches covet, and it's exactly what the Bulls need as they try to build more spacing around their core.

What 'Versatile' Actually Means Here

It's not just about hitting threes. Smith's value comes from being able to do a bit of everything: step out beyond the arc, switch onto smaller players defensively, crash the glass, and still protect the rim in a pinch. For a Bulls team that has spent years searching for frontcourt players who don't clog driving lanes for their guards, that versatility is a real difference-maker.

When a big man can space the floor, it opens up everything else. Drives to the basket have more room to breathe, guards get cleaner looks, and defenses can't simply park a shot-blocker in the paint all game. If Smith keeps knocking down outside shots at a respectable clip, it changes how opponents have to game-plan against Chicago entirely.

The Bigger Picture for Bulls Fans

This isn't about one hot shooting stretch — it's about whether the Bulls have found a sustainable piece for their frontcourt rotation. Chicago's front office has been retooling the roster around flexibility and spacing, and a big man who can do both the dirty work and the modern stuff (shooting, switching, moving the ball) is the kind of player that quietly keeps a team afloat during a long 82-game season.

If Smith's shooting holds up, expect his role to grow. Coaches tend to reward bigs who make the game easier for everyone else on the floor, and that's precisely the lane Smith is carving out early this season.

What to Watch Next

Keep an eye on Smith's three-point attempts and percentage over the next several weeks. Early-season flashes are nice, but consistency is what turns a nice storyline into a real rotation anchor. If the Bulls can trust him to space the floor reliably, it gives their offense a dimension that's been missing for a while — and gives fans another reason to pay attention to this version of the roster.