No two ways about it, Tre Jones’ fit on the Chicago Bulls has been the snuggest of snug. The 6-foot-1 point guard is the perfect co-creator next to the untraditional 6-foot-8 playmaker Josh Giddey, and the savvy defensive dynamo the Bulls need to handle quicker backcourts.
Jones ranks second on the team in assists (6.3 per game) and leads the Bulls comfortably in steals (2.2). That blend of playmaking and defensive disruption underscores how seamlessly he’s meshed with Chicago’s starters. His modest usage rate and impressive efficiency only deepen that versatility, cementing how he naturally slots into Billy Donovan's system.
Tre Jones’ hot start creates lineup headaches for Donovan
Thus, Jones’ terrific start has many wondering what’s in store once last season’s leading scorer, Coby White, returns to the hardwood. After a surprising 5-1 start, White has become almost a forgotten part of the team, despite arguably being its best player. An explosive scorer, he was instrumental in transforming Chicago from a slow-paced, mid-range-heavy team into a faster, transition-focused squad.
Still, Jones’ playmaking and perimeter defense have proven invaluable to Chicago’s early success. While White is unlikely to come off the bench upon his return from a calf injury, it's possible Jones could remain in the starting unit, preserving the lineup chemistry that’s fueled the Bulls’ early surge.
Keeping Jones in the starting lineup would likely push Isaac Okoro to the bench. The 6-foot-5, 225-pound Okoro is exactly the point-of-attack defender the Bulls need, capable of guarding everyone from Cade Cunningham to Paolo Banchero to Karl-Anthony Towns.
However, Okoro’s offense has been, to put it bluntly, awful. He’s averaging 6.0 points, 1.2 assists, and 1.5 turnovers per game while shooting just 38.5 percent from the floor and 29.4 percent from three. Defensively, he’s a quality contributor, but on offense, he’s a liability—a drop-off reflected in the Bulls being 10.8 points per 100 possessions worse with him on the floor.
Why Jones and White don’t belong starting together
With the league increasingly favoring jumbo-sized lineups, a Jones-White backcourt probably doesn’t make sense. Chicago would lose the defensive versatility Okoro provides. At 6-foot-1, Jones is a solid defender but primarily matches up with point guards and non-ball-dominant shooting guards such as Duncan Robinson and Keon Ellis. Keeping him in the starting unit once White returns would leave the Bulls without a versatile defensive presence in the starting five.
While Jones’ impressive production should keep him in the starting five, his overlapping skillset with White and lack of size suggest otherwise. Jones has been so crucial to the Bulls that this debate exists at all. If the former Spur weren’t so consequential, the move would be straightforward.
Giddey, White, Matas Buzelis, and Nikola Vucevic are penciled in as starters, no matter what. That leaves one open spot, with Jones, Okoro, and even Ayo Dosunmu and Kevin Huerter competing for it. Each of these players brings unique strengths, but the two most obvious candidates—Jones and Dosunmu—actually make the most sense as reserves.
Donovan faces a tough decision as White’s return approaches. White is on track to return in the coming days, possibly within the week. The Bulls are 5-1 without him, with both their offense and defense humming. Whatever decision is made will surely alter Chicago’s trajectory, for better or worse.