In a stunning midseason move, the Los Angeles Lakers have reportedly pulled off a trade that could reshape their championship aspirations for the 2025-26 NBA season. According to sources close to the team, the Lakers have acquired Chicago Bulls forward Jalen Smith, a $27 million rising star, in a deal that sends shockwaves through the league. The trade, which involves promising rookie Adou Thiero and veteran Maxi Kleber heading to Chicago, signals the Lakers’ intent to address their glaring need for floor-spacing in the frontcourt while maximizing the prime years of superstars Luka Dončić and LeBron James.
Lakers’ Frontcourt: Strengthened but Incomplete
The Lakers entered the 2025-26 season with a revamped roster, headlined by the dynamic duo of Dončić and James. Their frontcourt was bolstered by the additions of Deandre Ayton, the former No. 1 overall pick (2018), who provides elite scoring and rebounding, and Jaxson Hayes, a high-flying backup center retained in free agency. While Ayton and Hayes bring athleticism and rim protection, the Lakers’ lack of three-point shooting from their big men has been a persistent Achilles’ heel in a Western Conference stacked with sharpshooting bigs like Nikola Jokić and Karl-Anthony Towns.
Despite exploring options like Myles Turner and Brook Lopez in the offseason, Los Angeles failed to secure a stretch big, leaving their offense predictable and cramped. Enter Jalen Smith—a 6-foot-10 forward whose shooting range and explosive athleticism could be the key to unlocking the Lakers’ full potential.
Jalen Smith: The Missing Piece
Smith, a former lottery pick, has shown flashes of brilliance in his young career. After shooting an impressive 42.4% from three with the Indiana Pacers in 2023-24, his numbers dipped slightly with the Chicago Bulls in the 2024-25 season, where he averaged 8.2 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 0.7 blocks per game while shooting 32.4% from beyond the arc across 64 games. Despite the dip, Smith’s ability to stretch the floor and attack the rim makes him an ideal fit for head coach JJ Redick’s modern, spacing-heavy offensive system.
“Placement in the right offensive system might see the former lottery pick return to his old ways in 2025-26,” wrote Dean Simon of The Sporting News. With elite playmakers like Dončić and James feeding him open looks and lobs, Smith could thrive in Los Angeles, offering the versatility that Ayton and Hayes lack.
Jalen Smith’s 2024-25 Key Stats (with Chicago Bulls)
Points per Game: 8.2
Rebounds per Game: 5.6
Blocks per Game: 0.7
3-Point Percentage: 32.4%
Games Played: 64
The Trade: A Bold Gamble
To make the deal work financially and competitively, the Lakers are reportedly sending rookie Adou Thiero, the No. 36 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, and veteran forward Maxi Kleber, who is on an expiring $11 million contract, to the Chicago Bulls. Thiero, a 6-foot-6 two-way guard with raw potential, represents a long-term project for Chicago, while Kleber provides veteran leadership and cap flexibility.
For the Lakers, parting with Thiero is a tough pill to swallow. The athletic rookie has shown flashes of defensive tenacity and playmaking, but his unpolished offensive game makes him expendable in a win-now scenario. Kleber, meanwhile, has struggled to find a consistent role in L.A., making him a logical inclusion to match salaries.
Trade Details
Lakers Receive: Jalen Smith
Bulls Receive: Adou Thiero, Maxi Kleber
Why This Move Could Define the Lakers’ Season
The acquisition of Jalen Smith addresses several critical needs for the Lakers:
Floor-Spacing: Smith’s ability to knock down threes (career 35.7% from deep) forces opposing bigs to defend him on the perimeter, opening driving lanes for Dončić and James.
Lineup Versatility: Smith can play alongside either Ayton or Hayes, with the former spotting up while the latter rolls to the rim, creating dynamic frontcourt combinations.
Playmaking Synergy: With two of the NBA’s premier passers in Dončić and James, Smith will feast on open looks and lob opportunities, elevating his efficiency.
Playoff Push: In a Western Conference loaded with contenders like the Denver Nuggets and Minnesota Timberwolves, Smith’s two-way skill set could be the X-factor for a deep postseason run.
Risks and Rewards
The trade isn’t without risks. Thiero’s potential as a two-way wing could haunt the Lakers if he develops into a star in Chicago. Additionally, Smith’s inconsistent three-point shooting in 2024-25 raises questions about whether he can fully regain his Pacers form. However, the upside of pairing a stretch big with the Lakers’ star-studded core outweighs the concerns. Redick’s system, which emphasizes spacing and movement, is tailor-made for a player like Smith, who can exploit mismatches and keep defenses honest.
A Championship-or-Bust Mentality
With LeBron James in the twilight of his career and Luka Dončić in his prime, the Lakers are all-in on contending for the 2026 NBA Championship. Acquiring Jalen Smith is a bold statement that they’re not content with their current roster’s limitations. By addressing their frontcourt shooting woes, Los Angeles has added a weapon that could prove to be LeBron’s final key to another title.
As the NBA world processes this blockbuster, all eyes will be on Smith to deliver in the bright lights of Los Angeles. If he can rediscover his shooting stroke and mesh with the Lakers’ stars, this midseason heist could go down as the move that propelled L.A. back to the top of the league.