Chicago Bulls: 3 new signings that are blowing people away

Chicago Bulls’ new signings already blowing people away: Derrick Jones Jr.

The move for the Bulls to get a three-team sign-and-trade done with the Portland Trail Blazers and Cleveland Cavaliers to send power forward Lauri Markkanen out of Chicago was lauded at the time. But getting small forward Derrick Jones Jr. from the Trail Blazers is a move that worked out even better than anticipated thus far.

Jones has only played in seven games for the Bulls so far this season. But he’s truly made a sizable impact out of the gates during his initial run with the Bulls.

Through seven games played with the Bulls so far this season, Jones is one of the most efficient players coming off the bench. Jones actually leads the Bulls in box plus/minus (4.1), win shares per 48 minutes (.263), and has astounding offensive (154) and defensive (101) ratings.

Jones is not the best scorer or the flashiest player for the Bulls, granted his athleticism and dunking ability are absolutely insane. But he is one of the best, and most underrated, wing/forward defenders in the East this season. He is also a very good rebounder, quality inside scorer, and effective in drawing contact to get to the free-throw line.

There’s also not much that Jones did wrong so far this season. Jones doesn’t have any turnovers and has drawn more than twice as many fouls as he’s caused. Best of all, Jones has registered an insane on/off-court plus/minus per 100 possessions of +16.6.

The impact that Jones is making for the Bulls off the bench this season is really impressive so far. He’s a very valuable piece to Donovan’s bench.