The Chicago Bulls have watched the entire postseason from the couch for a third straight year.
But after a few recent moves, it seems they have their future set up. However, they’re going to have to make an important decision soon.
On Feb. 3, the Bulls acquired point guard Tre Jones from the San Antonio Spurs in a three-team trade involving the Sacramento Kings.
Jones is nearing the end of the two-year contract he signed with the Spurs in 2023. This summer, he will be an unrestricted free agent for the first time in his five-year career. Although he is sure to entertain other teams, the Bulls could benefit from re-signing him.
Jones Had to Grind it Out
Before entering the NBA, Jones played two years at Duke University. His second year was when he started gaining recognition.
During that 2019-20 season, Jones averaged 16.2 points, 4.2 rebounds, 6.4 assists, and 1.8 steals. His efforts earned him ACC Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year awards. Once the season was complete, he entered the 2020 NBA Draft.
Jones was chosen with the 41st pick of the 2020 draft. In his first two seasons, he only averaged 4.8 points, 1.7 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 0.5 steals.
A Great Opportunity Developed
Before the 2022-23 season began, the Spurs made a massive change to their roster.
On Jun. 30, 2022, they traded point guard Dejounte Murray to the Atlanta Hawks to restart a rebuild. As a result of the trade, San Antonio gave Jones the starting point guard position.
Jones made sure to take full advantage of the opportunity. During the 2022-23 campaign, he averaged a career-high 12.9 points, 3.6 rebounds, a career-high 6.6 assists, and a career-high 1.3 steals. He also had two triple-doubles in April to close out a great year.
Jones Fits in Chicago
This season started slowly for Jones.
In his first 28 games, he averaged a mere 4.4 points and 3.7 assists while with the Spurs. However, once San Antonio traded him to the Bulls, Jones found himself again. In the 18 games he played for Chicago in the second half of the season, he averaged 11.5 points, 3.2 rebounds, 4.9 assists, and 1.1 steals.
The Bulls are one of the teams that can benefit from having Jones on their roster.
During the 2023-24 campaign, the Bulls were one of the worst teams in terms of playmaking, particularly from the bench. During that season, their bench averaged a league-low 5.1 assists and committed 3.7 turnovers. Similar to his brother, Tyus Jones, Tre is a floor general who creates plays while rarely turning the ball over.
While Jones has a lot of useful skills, there is a huge gap in his game. Though he is a playmaker, there were many instances in his career where he passed up great scoring opportunities. Fortunately, he’s translated his own scoring chances into opportunities for his teammates.
The Bulls Can Rely on Jones
If the Bulls decide to keep Jones, he will likely come off the bench.
Right now, Josh Giddey is the starting point guard with Lonzo Ball serving as his replacement. Jevon Carter and Jahmir Young, Chicago’s other two point guards, haven’t produced at a high level and will likely see minimal playing time next season.
While Jones may be more suited for a bench role, he is fully capable of performing effectively in a starting role if the opportunity arises. Last season, Jones started in nine games for the Bulls. During those games, he averaged 14.9 points, 4.8 rebounds, 7.1 assists, and 1.2 steals. The Bulls also went on to win six of those nine games.
Given that he could fill a need off the bench, and has the ability to step in for an injured starter, it would make sense for Chicago to keep Jones.
How successful this Bulls rebuild will end up is still unclear. However, what Chicago needs are multiple steps in the right direction to continue to build momentum. Deciding to keep Jones would be one of those moves.
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