Chicago Bulls bench players that could become starters: Derrick Jones Jr.
The lone player on this list that missed the preseason opener for the Bulls was the former Portland Trail Blazers and Miami Heat small forward Derrick Jones Jr. The Bulls landed Jones in that notable sign-and-trade deal during the offseason that sent power forward Lauri Markkanen to Cleveland and forward Larry Nance Jr. to Portland.
Given that Jones missed the preseason opener against the Cavs on Oct. 5 dealing with a left ankle sprain. He was one of the five notable absence for the Bulls by the time tip-off against the Cavs arrived on the night of Oct. 5.
But there’s a chance that he could make his preseason debut on Oct. 8 at home against the Pelicans. If he is in the lineup against the Pelicans, we could see Donovan slot Jones in the starting unit. Jones is certainly a capable option to start at the three or the four for the Bulls this season.
He started in 43 of the 58 regular season games he played in with the Trail Blazers last season. And if the Bulls are ever down someone like DeRozan or Williams (like they are now), Jones is a solid defender and scorer inside the arc that can help fill a spot in the starting five.
There is also the possibility that the Bulls decide that it is a better move to have someone like DeRozan coming off the bench. If the floor spacing just isn’t working out with DeRozan, LaVine, and Vucevic all on the same at the same time, turning to Jones in the starting unit could be an option the coaching staff explores.
It’s nice to have a versatile wing/forward in the mix like Jones heading into the regular season.