When the Bulls finally pulled the trigger and moved on from their All-Star guard and clubhouse leader, Zach LaVine, fans were amped to see what the return would be for an elite-scoring wing. Upon hearing that they gained three role players, including 25-year-old Tre Jones, on an expiring contract and the rights to their own top-10 protected draft choice in a few months, many were enraged and disappointed. After initially being written off after a rough start to his Bulls tenure, Jones has been a completely new version of himself for the last month, and the implications will change his entire NBA future.
Trying Out For His Next Team
The 25-year-old former Duke point guard is nearing 300 career games, mainly in San Antonio and the last 18 with Chicago. Through the first 279 outings, he averaged a hair over eight points per night, under five assists, and less than three rebounds. He shot 31% from three-point territory, 83.9% from the free-throw line, and 48.8% from the field. During the last month with the Bulls, granted extra opportunities via injuries to Lonzo Ball and Ayo Dosunmu, he's taken his game to the next level. In ten showings during March, he has posted 14.5 points, 7.0 assists, and 4.3 rebounds while shooting 58.8% from the field and 57.1% from deep. Down the final stretch, he can earn a bench point guard role for another franchise with unrestricted free agency on the horizon.
Tre Jones has been outstanding for the Bulls lately – the unsung hero of their recent relative success. He’s averaging 14.4 PPG on 66.4% TS, 3.6 RPG, 5.8 APG, and 1.1 SPG over his last ten games, and CHI is 5-2 since the 25-year-old joined the starting lineup. Very solid PG! pic.twitter.com/efHKhJisn3
— Brett Usher (@UsherNBA) March 18, 2025
There's a good chance Jones has seen his last action of the year after suffering a left foot sprain a week ago. If those were his last opportunities to showcase his abilities for the potential landing spots, his contract spiked over one month of spectacular play.
Likely Leaving Chicago
The Bulls do not have room for the emerging young guard on the roster. With Josh Giddey, Ayo Dosunmu, Dalen Terry, and Coby White, Jones will likely be dismissed in a few months and have to find a new home. Flashing signs of an efficient scoring guard who can defend and facilitate at a high-level, plenty of suitors will offer him a contract moving forward. While Giddey is predicted to get nearly $30 million annually, Jones will be closer to $15 or $20 million.
AK described Tre Jones as one of the few "pure point guards" in the league.
— Julia Poe (@byjuliapoe) February 7, 2025
Jones on his role as a playmaker: “Something I've taken a lot of pride in is being a traditional point guard and trying to organize the offense when I'm out there, use my voice, be a leader.” pic.twitter.com/xABNiQFRpF
Can Jones re-join the Bulls before the season ends, and how will he fit in with Giddey back in the rotation? Regardless, he's a pivotal piece to the recent success and would help bolster Chicago's chances of reaching the postseason for the first time in four years.
