The Chicago Bulls have been one of the busiest teams in the league over the past couple of weeks, pulling off seven trades in rapid succession and completely reshaping their backcourt. But even with all the new faces in the mix, we still haven’t seen what this group looks like at full strength. That’s about to change.
Josh Giddey and Tre Jones are nearing their return, and their reintroduction into the lineup could be the key to unlocking what this new-look Bulls team is really capable of.
Giddey and Jones: The Missing Pieces
Let’s start with Giddey. Since arriving in Chicago, he’s become a central piece of the Bulls’ identity-especially after Coby White’s departure.
Giddey’s size, vision, and ability to initiate offense from the wing give him a unique role in Billy Donovan’s system. But he’s been battling a nagging hamstring strain, missing 11 straight games from late December into January, making a brief return, then getting shut down again.
His last appearance came in late January.
Jones, meanwhile, has been sidelined by the same type of injury-another hamstring strain. He’s been out for 11 games, but there are signs he’s close.
He’s upgraded from “out” to “doubtful” on the injury report and has been spotted going through pregame shootarounds. With an eight-day break between games thanks to the All-Star break, the timing couldn’t be better for both guards to get healthy.
All signs point to a potential return for both Giddey and Jones when the Bulls face the Raptors on February 19. And while it might seem obvious that both players would slide right back into major roles, the reality is a little more complicated.
The Backcourt Logjam
Here’s the situation: Chicago’s guard room is now packed. In their final game before the break, nearly half of the team’s total minutes were played by guards. And not just any guards-these are mostly offense-first, undersized players who don’t fit the mold of the modern 3-and-D wing or hybrid guard-forward.
Giddey and Jones don’t exactly fit the mold either, but they bring something different. Giddey, at 6-foot-8, gives Donovan more lineup flexibility than just about anyone else on the roster.
He can initiate offense, post up smaller guards, and rebound like a forward. Jones, while only 6-foot-1, plays bigger than his size.
He’s a tough-nosed defender and arguably the team’s best pure floor general.
But with six legitimate rotation guards now in the mix, minutes are going to be tight.
Who Starts Next to Giddey?
Giddey’s return to the starting five is a given-he’s too important to the Bulls’ long-term vision to come off the bench. The real question is: who starts next to him?
So far, Donovan has leaned on Anfernee Simons, who’s started all four games since arriving at the trade deadline. Simons brings elite shooting and scoring punch, and his ability to space the floor complements Giddey’s playmaking. He feels like the frontrunner to hold onto that starting spot.
Then there’s Jaden Ivey, who’s also started three games since the trade but is still finding his rhythm. He’s younger, a restricted free agent this summer, and likely figures more prominently into Chicago’s long-term plans than Simons, who’s already on a hefty deal. Don’t be surprised if Ivey starts getting more looks with the first unit as the season progresses.
The Three-Guard Puzzle
Collin Sexton is the wild card here. He’s the most established scorer of the bunch and has been productive in his short stint with the Bulls-averaging 17.7 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 2.0 assists in just over 30 minutes per game. But that kind of workload won’t be sustainable once Giddey and Jones are back in the fold.
Sexton’s on an expiring contract and, at 25, is older than most of the other guards in the mix. That could make him the odd man out in the long term. Still, his scoring ability and toughness should keep him in the rotation, even if his minutes dip closer to 20 per night.
Then there’s Rob Dillingham, the least experienced but perhaps the most intriguing piece in this backcourt puzzle. The rookie hasn’t started a game yet, but he’s flashed enough promise to earn consistent minutes-likely in the 15-20 range. With two years left on his deal, the Bulls are going to give him every opportunity to grow into a bigger role.
Where Does Tre Jones Fit?
Jones is the quiet stabilizer in all this. He’s had a strong season-12.4 points, 5.8 assists, and a scorching 55.0% from the field. He’s not flashy, but he’s efficient, smart, and defends his position well.
The challenge for Donovan is finding the right combinations. Pairing Jones with other undersized guards like Sexton or Dillingham could be tricky defensively, but all three bring enough toughness and effort to make it work in spurts. Expect Jones to play significant minutes, even if he doesn’t start.
What the Rotation Might Look Like
When the dust settles, here’s what to expect: Giddey and Simons likely remain the starting backcourt, with Isaac Okoro and rookie Matas Buzelis filling the forward spots. That group gives the Bulls balance-shooting, size, playmaking, and defensive versatility.
Off the bench, Ivey, Jones, Sexton, and Dillingham will all be in the mix. Donovan has leaned on three-guard lineups before, and with this group, he might have no choice but to go back to that well.
It’s not a traditional setup, but this isn’t a traditional roster. The Bulls have gone all-in on versatility and offensive firepower in the backcourt. Now, with Giddey and Jones set to return, we’re finally going to see what this new version of the Bulls really looks like.
And let’s be honest-after all the roster movement, that’s when things really start to get interesting.