The Chicago Bulls’ formula for winning games is anything but typical. In their latest victory over the Denver Nuggets, Chicago’s bench outscored Denver’s reserves 66–9. Even facing a team led by perennial MVP candidate Nikola Jokić, who, by the way, put up a monstrous 36, 18, and 13, the Bulls prevailed thanks to their second unit completely controlling the minutes against Denver’s bench.
Chicago accomplished this feat despite missing several players who would normally bolster their bench production. Coby White sat out the second night of a back-to-back as he continues to ramp up from an offseason calf strain. While he’s not typically a reserve, White did come off the bench in the Bulls’ loss to the Utah Jazz the night before and still managed to post 27 points and eight assists in his season debut.
Moreover, Tre Jones also missed Chicago’s matchup against Utah. Because of White’s injury, Jones has started every game this season, even though he likely would have returned to his reserve role from a year ago had White been fully healthy to start the campaign. Still, Jones has impressed in the starting lineup, averaging 13.3 points, 4.0 rebounds, 5.5 assists, and 2.1 steals per game.
Chicago boasts a trio of impactful guards
Nonetheless, in Chicago’s matchup against the Portland Trail Blazers, Bulls fans may finally see the guard triumvirate of Jones, White, and Ayo Dosunmu together for the first time this season. In fact, the trio has shared the floor for only five minutes total, dating back to last season.
The trio didn’t get many chances to share the floor last season either. Jones arrived via a midseason trade, and Dosunmu’s season was cut short by shoulder surgery.
Regardless of what happened last season, it’s unlikely that Jones, White, and Dosunmu will share the floor together very often this year—even when fully healthy. That’s not a reflection of their talent, but rather the overlap in their skill sets.
To start, all three guards stand 6-foot-5 or shorter, making it difficult to play them together, especially on a team already lacking strong interior defenders. Additionally, because their skill sets overlap, it’s more effective to stagger them and keep at least one of the three on the floor at all times.
Which naturally brings us to the same question that’s been asked for months: what should the Bulls do with Dosunmu and White, since both are on expiring contracts? Yet those two might not be the guards Bulls fans should be watching most closely.
Tre Jones’ trade eligibility puts him on the radar
Jones, who signed a three-year, $24 million deal this offseason, becomes trade-eligible on December 15. And given that he’s producing at a high level while making just $8 million annually, he’ll likely be an appealing target for several point–guard–needy teams.
Think Atlanta Hawks, Dallas Mavericks, Houston Rockets, and Minnesota Timberwolves. At least three of these teams could be considered contenders, all with question marks at point guard. While the Hawks feature Trae Young, they lack another true point guard on the roster. The Mavericks, Rockets, and Wolves, on the other hand, have experimented with no-point-guard lineups this season.
Trading Jones probably isn’t high on the Bulls’ to-do list, but it’s almost certainly going to be a topic of discussion. His salary isn’t a reason to move him, nor is his production. However, if the Bulls can acquire a player who better addresses their needs, like a perimeter stopper or interior defender, Jones could be the one they’re willing to part with.
Chicago likely prioritizes Dosunmu and White over Jones. While the former San Antonio Spur has been a strong addition, he’s not the scoring threat or versatile defender that Dosunmu is, and he certainly can’t match White’s offensive firepower. As a result, Jones could be the piece Chicago is willing to move to trim its already loaded guard unit.
As mentioned earlier, the Bulls face significant contract decisions, with both Dosunmu and White in the final seasons of their affordable deals. If Chicago plans to re-sign both to long-term contracts, moving Jones to acquire a player who better complements the duo, and Josh Giddey, could be the most practical approach.