Bulls Forward Jalen Smith Linked To Lakers In Hardy Trade Deal
· Yahoo Sports
A bold new trade idea has the basketball world talking about the Chicago Bulls and their forward Jalen Smith. The Los Angeles Lakers are looking for help behind their new center, and a fresh proposal suggests they might get it by sending Jaden Hardy to Chicago. This deal would move a player earning $27 million in total value to the West Coast while bringing back assets for the rebuild.
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The plan comes from a roster site called FanSpo and was picked up by Heavy.com on Saturday. It paints a clear picture of what both sides could get. The Lakers would give up Hardy and two future second-round picks. In return, they would land Smith, a 26-year-old big man who can score and rebound. The Bulls would clear out some salary space and get a young guard to add to their backcourt rotation.
Why Smith Fits the Lakers Right Now
Los Angeles is struggling to find depth in the frontcourt after signing Walker Kessler to a massive four-year, $130 million contract. They need someone who can play big without costing them years of future money. Smith has one year left on his deal, which expires after this season. That makes him a low-risk addition for a team that is already over the tax line.
Smith is showing he can be a starter right now. He is averaging 13.4 points and 8.2 rebounds in his last five games for the Bulls. Lake Show Life noted that Smith “has some fans within the organization” back in January, so the interest is not new. His ability to shoot the ball from deep helps the Lakers’ offense, which relies on stars like Luka Doncic to drive to the basket.
But the cost is not just players. The Lakers would also hand over their 2032 and 2033 second-round draft picks. These picks are valuable for a team that wants to stay flexible. The deal would add $3.4 million to the Lakers’ payroll, pushing them deeper into the tax. By the identical sum, Chicago would fall below the cap, creating space for additional player signings.
What Hardy Brings to the Bulls
Jaden Hardy is a 24-year-old shooting guard who has shown flashes of brilliance but struggles with consistency. He is owed $6 million this season. The Bulls have been looking to move on from some of their veteran players to make room for their young stars like Caleb Wilson and Matas Buzelis. Hardy could fit into that new mix as a reserve who can score in bursts.
His career numbers show he can hit shots. In roughly 15 minutes of play per contest, he scores 8.4 points on average while converting 38.6 percent of his three-point attempts. Pippen Ain’t Easy points out that the Bulls are trying to speed up their offense, and Hardy has the skills to keep up. He played in the 2024 Finals with the Dallas Mavericks before landing in Los Angeles.
The trade would also help the Bulls clear the way for their rebuild. They are not waiting around to see if older players fit their new vision. Getting a player like Hardy, who is on a team-friendly contract, gives them more options.