One of the bigger moves of the latter portion of the offseason for the Chicago Bulls involved dealing out fourth-year power forward Lauri Markkanen to the Cleveland Cavaliers. In a notable sign-and-trade deal with the Cavs and Portland Trail Blazers, Markkanen landed in Cleveland, and the Bulls got back small forward Derrick Jones Jr.
The former Miami Heat and Trail Blazers uber-athletic two-way small forward Jones Jr. was a big addition for the Bulls just because how much excitement and defensive value he can bring to the table for head coach Billy Donovan heading into next season. Jones gets a lot of attention for his dunking ability and gifted physical tools.
But what Jones doesn’t get enough credit for is how he uses those physical tools to excel on the defensive end of the floor. Jones is both one of the best shot-blocking wings and disrupting players at his position in the entire NBA.
While Jones might not be the most dynamic offensive threat, he should get the job done for Donovan and the Bulls next season. Jones surely can get it done around the rim, and he’s at least a decent shooter from the mid-range.
Chicago Bulls are getting a “superfan” out of Derrick Jones Jr., who idled Derrick Rose growing up
One aspect for Jones that was likely overlooked by most Bulls fans when the team first landed him was how much of a fan he was of Chicago growing up. According to a piece from K.C. Johnson of NBC Sports Chicago on Sep. 30, Jones was a “superfan” of the former MVP-winning point guard and Rookie of the Year Derrick Rose with the Bulls when he was growing up.
This piece mentioned that D-Rose actually made Jones a fan of the Bulls back in his hayday in Chicago. Apparently the Bulls were always Jones’ favorite NBA team. And that could bode well for the fanfare he finds in this city.
Really anyone who was a basketball fan growing up during that time, though, had to at least respect D-Rose’s ability.
The Bulls will present Jones with a new opportunity to help a rising contender in the Eastern Conference. It feels like this chance he has with the Bulls is one that will be more similar to the situation he found himself in with the Heat a few seasons ago.
Jones was still solid for the Trail Blazers in the 58 regular season games he played in with them last season (43 of which he started in). He averaged 6.8 points per game, 3.5 rebounds, 0.8 assists, 0.6 steals, and 0.9 blocks, while shooting 48.4 percent from the field and 31.6 percent from beyond the arc.