LeBron James is once again at the center of a free agency conversation, and even if the Chicago Bulls are not the destination, they could still feel the effects.
James, a 23-year NBA veteran wing, is weighing where he’ll play in the 2026-27 NBA season. The Bulls are not considered a likely landing spot, but wherever he ends up will almost certainly set off the kind of roster reshuffling that tends to follow him. That has happened before, with the Miami Heat in 2010, his second stint with the Cleveland Cavaliers beginning in 2014, and the Los Angeles Lakers in 2018.
That ripple could reach Chicago through two names in particular: Norman Powell and Jalen Smith.
If James signs with a new team, that franchise will be looking for shooters right away, especially catch-and-shoot options who can work off his passing and create room for Bronny to attack the rim. Powell and Smith both fit that need in different ways, which is why they stand out as possible trade chips for the Bulls.
Smith’s connection is the cleanest on paper. He and James are both represented by Klutch Sports Group, which could make a deal smoother if James’ next team wants frontcourt help.
Smith’s profile also lines up with what James has played alongside before, with the source comparing him to former Lakers forward Rui Hachimura. Both players are described as taking about four three-pointers per game, which would make Smith a plausible fit in a James-led frontcourt.
Powell brings a different kind of value. He is not a Klutch client, but he is an NBA champion and a dependable spot-up shooter.
During the 2025-26 NBA regular season, he ranked in the 55.9th percentile of spot-up shooters according to NBA.com stats. That kind of plug-in scoring would help lighten James’ load during the regular season, while also giving a playoff-minded team a player who knows how to settle into the right spots when James takes over the ball more often.
For Chicago, the key is leverage. If the Bulls end up helping shape James’ next roster, they should not do it cheaply. The idea is simple: if they’re part of the solution for a team chasing James in the 2026-27 season, they should come away with draft capital in return.
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