RADIO
Nic Claxton Carries Questionable Tag for Sunday
Chicago Bulls center Nic Claxton (hamstring) is questionable for Sunday's matchup with the Philadelphia 76ers. A left hamstring strain has sidelined him for all eight games since Chicago acquired him from Brooklyn in June. Asked Friday whether Claxton would play, head coach Tiago Splitter said "probably," per K.C. Johnson of Chicago Sports Network, while noting a minutes restriction is likely. The 27-year-old averaged 11.7 points, 6.9 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1.1 blocks last season. Splitter plans to test Claxton alongside Jalen Smith (finger), so Smith's value may not take as big a hit as expected.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Jalen Smith Listed as Probable for Sunday
Chicago Bulls forward/center Jalen Smith (finger) is probable for Sunday's matchup with the Philadelphia 76ers. Smith left Wednesday's loss to the Knicks after seven minutes when he landed awkwardly on his injured left hand. According to K.C. Johnson of Chicago Sports Network, Smith expects to play Sunday. Before that shortened outing, the 26-year-old was averaging 12.1 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 2.0 assists as Chicago's starting center. The bigger concern for Smith's fantasy value is Nic Claxton (hamstring), who is questionable and could make his Bulls debut Sunday, potentially pushing Smith back to the second unit.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Jalen Smith Exits with Left-Hand Injury
Chicago Bulls forward/center Jalen Smith (hand) was ruled out for the rest of Wednesday's game against the New York Knicks after hurting his left hand while contesting a shot in the second quarter. Smith entered the night already dealing with a left finger sprain and was cleared to play before suffering the new setback. The 26-year-old came in averaging 12.1 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 2.0 assists while starting in place of Nic Claxton (hamstring). If Smith misses additional time, Zach Collins should be first in line for more center minutes until Claxton is ready to return.
Source: Chicago Bulls
Source: Chicago Bulls
Jalen Smith Probable Against Knicks On Wednesday
Chicago Bulls forward/center Jalen Smith (finger) is probable with a left-finger sprain against the New York Knicks on Wednesday. Smith looks like he will play through the injury to his finger, but he could see his playing time restricted if Nic Claxton (questionable, hamstring) returns to the lineup. Claxton returning would likely push Smith to a bench role. Smith is averaging 12.1 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 2.0 assists so far this season.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Jalen Smith Expected to Play Monday
Chicago Bulls forward/center Jalen Smith (finger) is probable for Monday's game against the Philadelphia 76ers. Smith has played through the sprain without missing time and grabbed 12 rebounds with two blocks in Friday's loss to Boston. The 26-year-old has started all six games with Nic Claxton (hamstring) sidelined, averaging 12.0 points, 8.8 rebounds, 1.7 assists, and 1.0 blocks in 24.2 minutes. Claxton is doubtful again, leaving Smith in line for another start. If Joel Embiid (foot) is cleared, Smith would face a more difficult matchup inside against the 6-1 Sixers.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Nic Claxton Doubtful for Bulls Debut on Monday
Chicago Bulls center Nic Claxton (hamstring) is doubtful for Monday's game against the Philadelphia 76ers after going through a full practice Sunday. Claxton has missed Chicago's first six games while recovering from a left hamstring strain, but the practice work is a positive step toward his Bulls debut. Jalen Smith (finger) is probable and should remain in the starting lineup if Claxton sits again. Smith is averaging 12.0 points and 8.8 rebounds in 24.2 minutes, though his workload could come down once Claxton is ready to join the rotation.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Jalen Smith Cleared to Play Friday
Chicago Bulls forward/center Jalen Smith (finger) is available for Friday's game against the Boston Celtics, according to The Athletic's Joel Lorenzi. Smith had been questionable with a finger sprain after logging 30 minutes in Wednesday's loss to the Knicks. The 26-year-old has started all five games while Nic Claxton (hamstring) remains sidelined, averaging 13.4 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 1.8 assists in 23.4 minutes. Tobe Awaka (ankle) is also available, giving Chicago another option up front, but Smith should continue handling the bulk of the center minutes until Claxton returns.
Source: Joel Lorenzi
Source: Joel Lorenzi
Zach Collins Active on Friday
Chicago Bulls center Zach Collins (quadriceps) is available for Friday's matchup against the Milwaukee Bucks. Collins was previously listed as probable with a quadriceps injury but has now been cleared to play. He will likely see limited minutes in Friday's contest after missing time during the preseason due to the injury. The 28-year-old is unlikely to make a significant fantasy impact until he returns to a full workload and establishes a consistent role in Chicago's rotation.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Nic Claxton Out Another Two Weeks
Chicago Bulls center Nic Claxton (hamstring) will miss Wednesday's season opener in Toronto after head coach Tiago Splitter said he will be reevaluated in approximately two weeks, according to Chicago Sports Network's K.C. Johnson. Splitter noted that Claxton is progressing and the timeline remains an estimate. The 27-year-old averaged 11.7 points, 6.9 rebounds, a career-high 3.7 assists, and 1.1 blocks with Brooklyn last season. Jalen Smith started at center for most of the preseason and carries added fantasy appeal while Claxton is sidelined. Zach Collins (toe) practiced Monday and could also absorb center minutes if cleared for the opener.
Source: K.C. Johnson
Source: K.C. Johnson
Nicolas Claxton to be Re-Evaluated in Two Weeks
Chicago Bulls center Nicolas Claxton (hamstring) will be re-evaluated in two weeks after tweaking his hamstring, head coach Tiago Splitter told reporters Monday, per K.C. Johnson of Chicago Sports Network. The timetable rules Claxton out for the preseason and puts his status for Chicago's Oct. 21 opener at Toronto in question. Splitter said Josh Giddey, Norman Powell, Matas Buzelis, Caleb Wilson, and "a big" will start Wednesday's preseason opener. With Zach Collins (toe) also sidelined, Jalen Smith is the clearest fill-in. Smith averaged 10.2 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 1.5 threes last season, giving him added fantasy appeal if Claxton misses regular-season time.
Source: K.C. Johnson
Source: K.C. Johnson
Nicolas Claxton Projected to Start at Center for Bulls
Chicago Bulls center Nicolas Claxton is projected to open the season as the starting five, according to Law Murray of The Athletic. The move does not create a brand-new role after Claxton started 68 of 69 games for Brooklyn last season, but it does give him a fresh setup as Chicago looks to fill its center spot under Tiago Splitter. Zach Collins and Jalen Smith are the main backup bigs on the roster, so Claxton should still have a steady path to the 27.8 minutes per game he logged last season. He averaged 11.7 points, 6.9 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1.1 blocks on 57.1 percent shooting, and playing off Josh Giddey's passing could help his lob and putback chances. The 61.6 percent free-throw mark remains the fantasy tax.
Source: Law Murray
Source: Law Murray
Jalen Smith Emerges as Lakers Center-Depth Target
Chicago Bulls forward/center Jalen Smith has been listed by The Athletic's Dan Woike as one of the Lakers' center-depth targets, while NBA insider Evan Sidery has floated a framework that would send one of Jake LaRavia or Jaden Hardy, plus Dalton Knecht and second-round picks, to Chicago for Smith. Los Angeles has Kevon Looney behind starter Walker Kessler, but Smith would add a different look as a rebounding big who can space the floor next to Luka Dončić. The fantasy catch is role. Smith averaged 10.2 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 1.2 assists last season, but he would likely be a backup five in Los Angeles, just as he currently sits behind Nicolas Claxton in Chicago. The right-calf issue that ended last season adds some availability risk, leaving Smith as a deep-league option only if his minutes open up.
Source: Evan Sidery
Source: Evan Sidery
Zach Collins Re-Signs With Bulls
According to Shams Charania of ESPN, center Zach Collins (toe) agreed to a two-year, $17 million contract extension with the Chicago Bulls on Tuesday. A left wrist fracture and a season-ending right toe injury confined Collins to just 10 appearances during the 2025-26 season, as he averaged 9.7 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 1.5 assists in 18.4 minutes per contest. The Bulls are banking on a healthy return, with Collins projected to fill a reserve role in the frontcourt behind Nic Claxton (finger) and Jalen Smith (calf).
Source: Shams Charania
Source: Shams Charania
Mouhamadou Gueye Traded to Minnesota and Set to be Waived
Chicago Bulls center Mouhamadou Gueye is headed to Minnesota in a trade and is expected to be waived, per Jake Fischer and Dane Moore. The move completes the three-team deal that sent Julius Randle to Brooklyn, with Gueye's non-guaranteed 2026-27 salary serving as the final piece of the math. The journeyman forward latched on with Chicago late in the season and played just two games, posting 8.0 points, 3.0 rebounds and 3.0 assists in those cameos after a productive G League season. Once he clears waivers, Gueye will become a free agent with no fantasy value, likely ticketed for another two-way or G League stop.
Source: Dane Moore
Source: Dane Moore
Nicolas Claxton Traded to Bulls in Three-Team Deal
The Chicago Bulls are adding center Nicolas Claxton in a three-team trade, ESPN's Shams Charania reports. Brooklyn is routing Claxton to Chicago in the same deal that sends Julius Randle from Minnesota to the Nets. The 27-year-old is a mobile, switchable defensive anchor who averaged 11.7 points, 6.9 rebounds, a career-high 3.7 assists, and 1.1 blocks on 57.1 percent shooting last season. His scoring stays modest, but the blocks, rebounding, and strong field-goal percentage carry real fantasy value if he locks down a starting role in Chicago. Claxton's improved passing, which produced two triple-doubles in Brooklyn, adds a sneaky assist source for a center. Just watch where he slots in the Bulls' frontcourt before counting on a full workload.
Source: Shams Charania
Source: Shams Charania
