JALEN SMITH NEWS

Lands in Chicago on three-year deal Smith agreed Monday with the Bulls on a three-year, $27 million contract, Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reports.

Impact After declining his $5.42 million player option for 2024-25 on Friday, Smith will get a slight bump in salary for the upcoming season plus two extra years on his deal as he heads to Chicago. He'll slot in as the Bulls' new backup center behind starter Nikola Vucevic, after Andre Drummond struck an agreement with the 76ers on Sunday. Though he occasionally found himself outside of head coach Rick Carlisle's rotation in Indiana in 2023-24, Smith served as Myles Turner's primary backup and was productive on a per-minute basis, averaging 9.9 points, 5.5 rebounds, 1.0 assists, 1.0 three-pointers and 0.6 blocks in 17.2 minutes per contest over 61 appearances. Though his spot in Chicago's rotation should be more stable with fewer challengers for the top backup center job, Smith may not see a dramatic uptick in playing time with the Bulls so long as Vucevic stays healthy.

JULY 1 • ROTOWIRE

Declines player option Smith declined his $5.4 million player option for 2024-25 on Friday and will become an unrestricted free agent, Michael Scotto of USA Today reports.

Impact Smith saw an inconsistent role for the Pacers in 2023-24, averaging 9.9 points, 5.5 rebounds and 1.0 assists in 17.2 minutes across 61 appearances, including 14 starts. However, the 23-year-old big man was largely left out of the team's rotation in the playoffs. Smith will now look to join a new team in free agency.

JUNE 28 • ROTOWIRE

Jalen Smith will enter free agency after declining player option Michael Scotto: Sources: Indiana Pacers forward Jalen Smith is declining his $5.4 million player option and will enter unrestricted free age...

JUNE 28 • HOOPSHYPE.COM

Unavailable for Game 4 Smith is out for Monday's Game 4 against the Celtics due to illness.

Impact Smith has played a limited role through the first three games of the Eastern Conference Finals, so his absence shouldn't impact Indiana's rotation much. He'll be considered day-to-day and should have a chance to return for Game 5 if the Pacers are able to extend the series.

MAY 27 • ROTOWIRE

Will play Smith (ankle) is available for Sunday's game against the Hawks.

Impact As expected, Smith, Obi Toppin and Isaiah Jackson (hamstring) are all available. Over his last 11 appearances (one start), Smith has averaged 7.5 points and 5.2 rebounds in 14.1 minutes per game.

APRIL 14 • ROTOWIRE

Expected to play Coach Rick Carlisle said Smith (ankle), who's listed as questionable, is expected to play Sunday against the Hawks, Tony East of SI.com reports.

Impact Smith, Obi Toppin (ankle) and Isaiah Jackson (hamstring) are all expected to play despite questionable designations. Over his last 11 appearances (one start), Smith has averaged 7.5 points and 5.2 rebounds in 14.1 minutes per game.

APRIL 14 • ROTOWIRE

Questionable for Sunday Smith is questionable for Sunday's game against the Hawks due to a left ankle sprain.

Impact There's a chance the Pacers end up being quite thin in terms of frontcourt depth, as Isaiah Jackson (hamstring) and Obi Toppin (ankle) are also questionable for the season finale Sunday. Smith has scored in double digits in three of his last five appearances off the bench.

APRIL 13 • ROTOWIRE

Good to go Smith (ankle) is available for Sunday's game against the Heat, Dustin Dopirak of The Indianapolis Star reports.

Impact Smith sprained his left ankle during Friday's win over the Thunder, but he'll shake off a questionable tag and suit up Sunday. Over his last eight appearances (one start), Smith has averaged 8.3 points, 6.1 rebounds and 0.9 blocks in 15.0 minutes per game.

APRIL 7 • ROTOWIRE

Gets questionable tag Smith (ankle) is listed as questionable ahead of Sunday's game against the Heat.

Impact Smith sprained his left ankle in Friday's 126-112 win over the Thunder. Prior to getting injured, he recorded 12 points (3-6 FG, 0-2 3Pt, 6-7 FT), six rebounds and two assists in 13 minutes. More clarity on his status against Miami should come once he tests out his ankle during pregame warmups, but Isaiah Jackson would likely be the prime beneficiary as frontcourt depth if Smith does not get the green light.

APRIL 6 • ROTOWIRE

Suffers ankle sprain Smith suffered a left ankle sprain during Friday's 126-112 win over the Thunder. He finished with 12 points (3-6 FG, 0-2 3Pt, 6-7 FT), six rebounds and two assists in 13 minutes.

Impact Smith was deemed questionable to return, but he never did and the Pacers did not release another update. If he's forced to miss Sunday's game against Miami, Isaiah Jackson could potentially step into Smith's role.

APRIL 6 • ROTOWIRE

Not starting Friday Smith won't start Friday's game against the Thunder.

Impact With Myles Turner (finger) out, Smith drew a spot start Wednesday and posted eight points, nine rebounds and two blocks in 22 minutes. However, the former has been cleared to suit up Friday, so the latter will return to his usual bench role. Over his last 10 appearances off the bench, Smith has averaged 8.7 points and 6.2 rebounds in 15.9 minutes per game.

APRIL 5 • ROTOWIRE

Joining first unit Smith will start Wednesday's game against the Nets, Tony East of SI.com reports.

Impact Smith will step into the starting lineup in place of Myles Turner (finger) on Wednesday. In 13 starts this season, Smith is averaging 11.3 points and 6.5 rebounds over 22.6 minutes.

APRIL 3 • ROTOWIRE

Steps up off bench in double-double Smith contributed 17 points (7-11 FG, 1-1 3Pt, 2-3 FT), 10 rebounds and one block in 16 minutes before getting ejected from Monday's 133-111 victory over the Nets.

Impact Smith stepped up off the bench with Myles Turner (finger) exiting Monday's contest, leading all Indiana players in rebounds while ending as one of three Pacers players with 15 or more points in a double-double performance. Smith has hauled in 10 or more boards in five games this season, posting at least 15 points and 10 rebounds in four outings.

APRIL 2 • ROTOWIRE

Ejected from Monday's game Smith was ejected in the second half of Monday's game against the Nets after being assessed with a flagrant 2 foul, Brian Lewis of the New York Post reports.

Impact There was a scuffle between Smith and Dennis Schroder, but after a six-minute review from the referees, Smith ended up being ejected. This poses problems for a Pacers team that's already missing Myles Turner (finger), meaning Isaiah Jackson should see plenty of action in the second half.

APRIL 2 • ROTOWIRE

Strong per-minute production Smith totaled 11 points (3-9 FG, 2-7 3Pt, 3-6 FT), eight rebounds, one assist and one block across 19 minutes during Monday's 108-103 loss to the Cavaliers.

Impact Smith is averaging 21.0 points, 11.4 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per-36 minutes this season, although that statistic should be viewed in a vacuum given that Smith has not exceeded 30 minutes in any contest thus far. Smith's defensive principles and in-between status as a subpar rim protector while also being exploitable on the wings limits his workload, but he is certainly capable of pounding the glass and scoring effectively when given the usage.

MARCH 19 • ROTOWIRE

Removed from injury report Smith (illness) isn't listed on the team's injury report for Tuesday's game against Oklahoma City.

Impact Smith sat out of Sunday's matchup against the Magic due to illness, but he should be good to go for Tuesday. He's averaging 9.5 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 15.3 minutes over four March appearances.

MARCH 12 • ROTOWIRE

Ends up sitting out Sunday Smith (illness) did not play in Sunday's win over the Magic.

Impact Smith was a late addition to the Pacers' injury report just after tip-off, and the coaching staff ultimately decided to hold him out as he battled through an illness. Smith should be considered day-to-day and questionable for Tuesday's game at Oklahoma City until further notice.

MARCH 11 • ROTOWIRE

Considered questionable The Pacers have given Smith a questionable designation shortly after tipoff due to an illness.

Impact Smith was not on the injury report prior to the game. Isaiah Jackson would likely be the primary beneficiary in terms of center depth should Smith ultimately be unable to return.

MARCH 10 • ROTOWIRE

Solid production off bench Smith supplied 14 points (5-5 FG, 1-1 3Pt, 3-6 FT), two rebounds, four assists and one block in 20 minutes during Thursday's 113-111 loss to the Timberwolves.

Impact Smith, who was sidelined for nearly two weeks in mid-February due to back spasms, has scored in double figures in back-to-back games and played 20 minutes for the first time since Feb. 4. When at 100 percent, Smith has provided strong production behind Myles Turner, but the former still doesn't need to be on fantasy radars in standard leagues.

MARCH 8 • ROTOWIRE

Available Monday Smith (back) is available for Monday's game against the Raptors.

Impact Smith will suit up for a second straight game after missing four consecutive contests due to low back spasms. On Sunday, he played 15 minutes and finished with two points (1-6 FG), six rebounds and two assists in 15 minutes during a blowout win over Dallas.

FEBRUARY 26 • ROTOWIRE

Listed questionable Smith (back) is questionable for Monday's game against the Raptors.

Impact Smith shook off a questionable tag and suited up Sunday, marking his first appearance since Feb. 8. He posted two points (1-6 FG) and six rebounds in 15 minutes during a win over Dallas. If he's cleared to suit up again, Smith will presumably be limited.

FEBRUARY 26 • ROTOWIRE

Available Sunday Smith (back) is available for Sunday's game against Dallas.

Impact Smith is cleared to make his first appearance since Feb. 8. However, it's unclear how large of a role he'll have, as Myles Turner and Isaiah Jackson are both healthy and playing well.

FEBRUARY 25 • ROTOWIRE

Iffy against Dallas Smith (back) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game versus the Mavericks.

Impact Smith is in danger of missing his fifth straight game Sunday due to low back spasms. If the 23-year-old forward is ruled out, Isaiah Jackson should continue to receive increased minutes in Indiana's frontcourt rotation.

FEBRUARY 24 • ROTOWIRE

Ends up sitting Thursday Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle said after Thursday's 129-115 win over the Pistons that Smith (back) was available only in an emergency, Tony East of SI.com reports.

Impact Though Smith was cleared to dress Thursday after missing the Pacers' previous four games before the All-Star break with low back spasms, Indiana opted to err on the side of caution with the reserve center. Isaiah Jackson ended up playing the backup minutes behind starting center Myles Turner in Smith's stead, but Carlisle said he anticipates Smith slotting back into the rotation in Sunday's game versus the Mavericks.

FEBRUARY 23 • ROTOWIRE

Available for Thursday Smith (back) will be available to play Thursday against the Pistons, Dustin Dopirak of The Indianapolis Star reports.

Impact Smith missed Indiana's final three games heading into the All-Star break with a back issue, but he's since recovered and should return to his usual reserve role Thursday evening. However, with 12 games on the slate, Smith isn't the most attractive fantasy option.

FEBRUARY 22 • ROTOWIRE