Tre Jones is quickly becoming one of the shrewdest free agent signings of the entire NBA offseason. Now that he’s approached Michael Jordan in the Chicago Bulls record books after amassing 10 steals in the first three games of the season, he’s looking like even more of a bargain.
Jones signed a three-year, $24 million contract to remain in the Windy City after arriving from San Antonio in the trade that sent Zach LaVine to the Sacramento Kings last February. All he’s done since is play winning basketball.
The 25-year-old has been an efficient scorer and a steady floor general on offense. But his defense can’t be overlooked, especially after what he did in helping lead Chicago to a come-from-behind victory over the Atlanta Hawks.
Tre Jones nearly hits Michael Jordan’s steals record in Bulls win
Anytime you can put yourself in the same conversation as MJ, you’re doing something right. When you can approach him in the franchise record books, you’ve done something special.
After grabbing two steals as part of a 128-123 home win over Atlanta, Jones now has 10 thefts in Chicago’s first three games, a feat only surpassed by Jordan (11).
Jones grabbed a steal off an errant Luke Kennard pass with 5:17 left in the fourth quarter. Fifteen seconds later, Ayo Dosunmu canned a three to give the Bulls a 112-111 lead. It’s just the latest example of how critical the former Duke standout has been to his team’s 3-0 start.
Jones has been a part of Billy Donovan’s starting lineup while Coby White nurses a calf injury. Through the first two games, all he did was average 12.5 points, 3.0 rebounds, 8.0 assists and 4.0 steals(!) while shooting 53.3 percent from the field and 66.7 percent from three. Against Atlanta, Jones scored 14 points in 31 minutes, adding seven rebounds, nine assists and his pair of thefts. He shot 5-of-10 from the field and 2-of-4 from three.
In a somewhat shocking 12-point road win over the Orlando Magic on Oct. 25, Jones racked up five steals and helped lead a Bulls offense that assisted on 26 of its 39 made baskets. White is a superior bucket-getter, but it’s hard to argue with the way Chicago has been humming with Jones taking his place.
Presumably, Jones will return to his reserve role behind Giddey once White is healthy. But don’t count out his ability to steal some of those minutes, if you will.
