Projecting the Bulls' 2024-25 Lineup After DeRozan Trade, Offseason Moves

C: Jalen Smith

Going full bore on the young bloods. Having played 76 games last season and still managing to average 18/10.5/3.3 at age 33, Vucevic honestly makes sense as someone’s offensively dominant backup center. Even at $20 million the next two years without a reliable three-point shot in sight, Vooch could easily David West off into a sunset for a pleasantly surprised team. Some of those recently acquired second rounders could make his contract a touch more palatable, too.

Even in absence of a move, Smith could start edging Vucevic out for this spot. Still only 24, the 2020 #10 overall pick seemed to discover his touch with Indiana, shooting 42.4 percent from three on admittedly low volume. Even more importantly, the athletic big man shot 72 percent at the rim – in the 93rd percentile league-wide, per Dunks and Threes.

Even with limited growth in a larger role, the former Maryland stud makes the position nine years younger with infinitely more Rex Specs swagger. His defensive metrics suffered from Pacers-related sabotage, but he’s always been an imposing rim protector a solid enough rebounder. Smith next to Williams, White, and a shot-functional Buzelis (or LaVine) might open Karnisovas’ eyes to the magic of roster synergy.

For just $27 million over the next three years, there’s no downside to adding another under-25-year-old who has a chance to grow in greater minutes. When’s the last time Chicago could use “another” in that sentence?

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