Chicago Bulls rule out two players for rest of the season

Originally posted on ChiCitySports | By Zack Pearson | Last updated Mar 26, 2026 9:30 PM ET

The Chicago Bulls are heading towards another season of failing to actually make the playoffs. It’s another offseason of a rebuild but they aren’t bad enough to realistically get in the top four or five in the draft.

Instead, the Bulls sit at 9th in the lottery and won’t catch the Memphis Grizzlies for 8th. They are destined to be 9th or 10th when the lottery selection happens, putting a damper on their chances to land a star in this draft. With Chicago making some moves at the deadline, it signaled the rebuild.

However, there’s news regarding one of those trades and it’s not good news.

Chicago Bulls rule out Jaden Ivey and Jalen Smith

Chicago Bulls guard Jaden Ivey (31) passes against the Toronto Raptors. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images

Following a loss in which the Bulls were on the wrong side of history, they have some more bad news. The team announced on Thursday that Jalen Smith and Jaden Ivey are both out for the rest of the season.

Ivey suffered an injury a few weeks back and was expected to return on the upcoming road trip. However, he suffered a setback and the knee is bothering him even more now. That’s disappointing news as Ivey was a piece in a trade for the Bulls as they sent Ayo Dosunmu to Minnesota in a three-team deal.

He played in just four games for the Bulls this season.

For Smith, he aggravated his right calf in the loss to the 76ers. The 26-year-old averaged 10.2 points and 6.7 rebounds in 53 games (21 starts) this season.

This article first appeared on ChiCitySports and was syndicated with permission.

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