The Chicago Bulls made the most underrated move of 2025 by quietly adding point guard Tre Jones as a part of the trade that sent Zach LaVine to the Sacramento Kings. In short order, it's also proven to be the most important addition they've made during the calendar year.
The former Duke Blue Devils star fits the mold of the pure point guard and is instantly offering value as the selfless playmaker Chicago needed.
The Bulls clearly understand Jones' value, as they not only traded for him, but re-signed him to a three-year, $24 million contract. He only played 18 games for the Bulls after the February trade, but he's proven his worth across his past five seasons.
Jones has averaged 10.3 points and 5.9 assists over the past three years, and boasts career averages of 13.9 points and 7.8 assists to just 1.8 turnovers per 36 minutes.
Beyond the numbers, Jones has a poise about him that enables an offense to remain cohesive and avoid committing unnecessary mistakes. He's a remarkably skilled passer, but his greatest attribute may be his ability to simply make the plays that need to be made without forcing the issue.
That's been on full display during the 2025 NBA preseason, when the Bulls have received early confirmation that they found a diamond in the rough.
Tre Jones instantly vindicating Bulls for taking a chance on him
Jones began the preseason by posting 10 points, two assists, one rebound, and four steals in 19 minutes, shooting 4-of-5 from the field. It was an encouraging start from a player whose activity on defense will be essential to seeing an increase in playing time.
The next time out, Jones proved it wasn't a fluke, tallying 10 points, seven assists, five rebounds, and four steals on 4-of-5 shooting from the field and a 2-of-2 mark from beyond the arc.
Jones failed to come up with an assist in his third game, but still managed to tally eight points, six assists, and four rebounds in 24 minutes. That activity on the glass and production as a playmaker is a key element of what he brings to the table, with or without eight steals in three games.
It's also a continuation of what's become a steady line of production from one of the more intriguing young point guards in the NBA.
In 18 appearances with the Bulls in 2024-25, Jones averaged 11.9 points, 4.9 assists, 3.2 rebounds, and 1.1 steals in 25.3 minutes per game. Chicago went 8-10 during that time, including a 6-2 mark across his final eight appearances before a mid-foot sprain caused him to miss the remainder of the regular season.
It was an encouraging stretch during which Jones showcased the ability to provide balance on offense, alleviating pressure from primary playmakers Josh Giddey and Coby White.
Tre Jones can be the bridge between Josh Giddey and Coby White
The hope moving forward is that Jones can build upon that success and begin to tap into his two-way potential. He'll need to work on his jump shot as a career 31.1 percent shooter from beyond the arc, but he's shown signs of progress by increasing his efficiency over each of the past three years.
The strengths that Jones immediately offers are what will make him dynamic—including his quickness, playmaking, finishing, and defensive potential.
Jones is a blur on the drive who can take defenders at every position off the bounce and finish inside with efficiency. He shot 46.3 percent on 10.2 drives per game with the Bulls in 2024-25 and finished the 2023-24 season at 52.7 percent on 8.8 drives per contest.
Jones also does a phenomenal job of collapsing defenses with his drives and making difficult passes in an accurate manner to find the open shooter.
Furthermore, Jones averaged 12.0 potential assists per game and 15.6 per 36 minutes in 2023-24. He checked in at 14.2 per 36 in 2024-25. Those are certifiably elite playmaking numbers that show just how active and effective he is at creating for his teammates.
If Jones can continue creating turnovers and maintain the steady improvement of his jump shot, then the Bulls could have a starting-caliber point guard in their midst.