Jalen Smith
Smith is the Bulls' stopgap starting center while Nic Claxton is out, and he is expected to move back to backup center once Claxton returns. His foot issue is the open question.
Role
Heavy.com reported about two days before this check that Chicago is starting Smith at center with Claxton out. Coach Tiago Splitter said Claxton still needs "a couple weeks" and must first practice at full speed. Last season Smith averaged 24.6 minutes and 12.1 points in 21 starts (CBS Sports/RotoWire). The same CBS note has him reverting to the No. 2 center behind Claxton. Fox Sports lists Zach Collins among the other centers. I found no minutes or usage projection for this season. The wire report says Smith's foot kept him out of a preseason game against the Grizzlies. I found no later update on that foot, so his current status is unconfirmed.
The starting job is his while Claxton is out, and his three-point shooting suits the Bulls' perimeter-heavy lineup. A Yahoo Sports column made this case for starting him next to rookie Caleb Wilson, Matas Buzelis, Josh Giddey and Norman Powell. Fox Sports noted he made 3 of 5 threes in a preseason start. Last season as a starter he averaged 12.1 points and 7.1 rebounds.
CBS Sports/RotoWire expects a reduced role once Claxton is healthy, which caps his minutes. Smith has never reached 70 games in any of his first six seasons. The foot issue adds more risk, and the Bulls' frontcourt injuries mean the starting job depends on teammates being out.
Where analysts split
The disagreement is whether Smith keeps starter minutes after Claxton returns or goes back to backup duty. CBS/RotoWire says backup. The Yahoo column argued he is the best fit to start next to Wilson. Reports on Claxton's injury also differ: CBS lists a finger, Fox Sports a hamstring, and Heavy gives only a timeline of "a couple weeks."
Injury: GTD: assessed minor
Finger, probable, expected to start
Smith is probable and expected to remain in the starting five at center with Claxton out, so the finger issue isn't expected to limit him Monday.
What would change this: Any downgrade from probable or in-game limitation reported
Research confidence: reported. Outlooks are grounded in web search over current reporting and refreshed through the season.
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