If Billy Donovan was writing the checks, Tre Jones would be a happy man.
He’d at least be a secure one.
In Donovan’s world of X’s and O’s, Jones is a coaches’ dream. A high-IQ point guard who focuses on doing whatever it takes to impact winning rather than his own numbers.
The “it factor,” according to Donovan.
“He’s got something, he’s got the ‘it factor’ to me,” the Bulls coach said of Jones. “He really does. He’s just a winner.”
Especially lately. Since being inserted in the starting lineup the last four games, the Bulls have gone 3-1, Jones has averaged 13 points, six assists and 5.3 rebounds, while averaging just one turnover. Maybe the statistic that puts the biggest smile on Donovan’s face.
To put that in perspective, Josh Giddey averages 2.8 turnovers per game, while Coby White is at 2.3 turnovers.
“You can look at size and length for position and (Jones) probably doesn’t have any of those things,” Donovan continued of the 6-foot-1 former second-round pick. “But he has really good speed, he’s really tough, he’s got a high IQ, he understands competition. He can really stay in the moment and compete.
“He’s got a lot of substance, a lot of competitive character to him.”
He’s also headed for free agency after making $9 million this season, which leads to further intrigue with the Bulls backcourt situation.
The only guard the Bulls will undoubtedly commit to beyond the 2025-26 season will be Giddey. Acquired in the Alex Caruso trade with Oklahoma City last summer, Giddey will be a restricted free agent and have a chance to test the market if the Bulls don’t extend him. Fortunately for executive vice president of basketball operations Arturas Karnisovas, he’ll have the opportunity to match any offer that Giddey receives if it gets to that point.
Considering how much stock he has put into the perception of winning that deal, Karnisovas will make sure Giddey stays a Bull long term.
Beyond that, however, White, Ayo Dosunmu, Jevon Carter (owns the player option at $6.8 million) and Kevin Huerter all come off the books after next season. Even Lonzo Ball, who was extended to a two-year deal totaling $20 million at the trade deadline, has a shelf life. It’s actually a one-year deal because the Bulls own the option for the 2026-27 season.
As currently constructed it would seem the Bulls backcourt is in a logjam for one more season, making Jones expendable. But the Sun-Times reported last month that White and Dosunmu are possible trade candidates this summer, especially with the commitment to Giddey priority No. 1.
That’s why Jones could remain in play as a real option.
The guard’s current concern? Just playing winning basketball. With Dosunmu out for the season (shoulder surgery), Ball still dealing with a wrist injury, and Giddey dealing with a sprained right ankle that will sideline him at least one game — the same one he injured in the Olympics and slowed him most of the fall — Jones will continue to be leaned on.
Not exactly a scenario he was shying away from.
“Coach talks about getting lost in competition, and that’s what we are doing,” Jones said. “I’m trying to fit in with the team the best I can and try to impact winning the best I can. We’re trying to compete for that play-in spot right now, trying to climb those standings in the East. There’s still room for movement on our part, so we are trying to continue to chip away at this every single day.”
Definitely Donovan’s kind of player. With the only question being for how long?