The Bulls’ new era is already forcing some hard choices, and Tre Jones looks like one of the easiest names for rival teams to circle.
Chicago’s front office is expected to keep its options open as the roster gets reshaped, and that means every player outside of Matas Buzelis, Caleb Wilson, and Dailyn Swain should be in play at the right price. In that kind of setup, Jones stands out as a likely trade candidate if he’s still on the roster when the season opens.
That’s not because he lacks value. It’s the opposite.
Jones is the kind of backup point guard contenders always seem to want: steady, smart, and low on mistakes. He isn’t the most athletic guard or the flashiest scorer, but he brings the kind of calm decision-making that can steady a second unit and function like a coach on the floor.
That profile should keep his phone ringing.
According to Sports Illustrated’s Elias Schuster, the Bulls should be checking the market for Jones, and that makes sense given where Chicago appears to be headed. The team can use his basketball IQ and reliable play, but he may be more useful as a trade piece than as a long-term hold.
Josh Giddey could complicate things, too. The Bulls are expected to get calls on him during the season, but his situation is different because he’s projected to start and would only move for a massive return. If Giddey is dealt, Jones becomes even more important for Tiago Splitter’s group because he would likely have to step into the starting point guard role.
Even then, the Bulls should still listen.
Splitter is expected to put the ball in Swain’s and Buzelis’ hands early and often next season, with development taking priority over wins. That gives Chicago room to experiment and sort out what fits, while also keeping veterans like Jones in the trade conversation if the right offer comes along.
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