Grading the Bulls debuts of Tre Jones, Kevin Huerter, Zach Collins

This year’s NBA trade deadline was (another) severely disappointing one for Chicago Bulls fans.

Nikola Vucevic, who many around the league expected to be traded by 3 p.m. ET on Feb. 6, suited up last night for the Bulls at the United Center. Any rumored big-name deals for young guards like Coby White—who would have fetched a large return—or Ayo Dosunmu fell flat.

The Bulls re-signed veteran guard Lonzo Ball in a rare piece of shrewd business. Ball has been one of Chicago’s best players this season and a crucially steadying one for a young roster.

The Bulls’ biggest deadline trade saw them finally ship out Zach LaVine, sending him West to the Sacramento Kings to reunite with former teammate DeMar DeRozan. In return, Chicago received a trio of role players in Tre Jones, Kevin Huerter and Zach Collins to essentially match salaries.

The most significant asset Vice President of Basketball Operations Arturas Karnisovas acquired was his own former first-round pick that he sent to the San Antonio Spurs in exchange for DeRozan in 2021.

Some reports suggested Karnisovas would try and reroute at least Huerter and Jones before the deadline passed, but unsurprisingly, they remain in Chicago, along with Collins.

All three made their Bulls debuts last night in an (unsurprisingly again) disappointing loss to the Golden State Warriors, who were running out their own deadline acquisition for the first time, former Windy City star Jimmy Butler.

Here’s how Chicago’s newest trio fared in its first action under Head Coach Billy Donovan.

Grading Bulls debuts for Huerter, Jones, Collins

Kevin Huerter

Stat line: 19 minutes, 4 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 1-for-7 from the field, 1-for-4 from three, 1-for-2 free throws

That stat line about sums it up for Huerter. The 26-year-old sharpshooter got more playing time than any of the other three debutants but didn’t do much of anything with it. He’s having by far the least efficient season of his career, and, at least through one game, the Bulls’ up-tempo style that encourages players to fire 3-pointers didn’t do much to improve anything for him.

Grade: D+

Tre Jones

18 minutes, 0 points, 2 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, 0-for-3 from the field

Jones is one of the better backup pure floor generals in the NBA, but with pass-first guards like Josh Giddey and Lonzo Ball already entrenched in Donovan’s rotation, the 25-year-old may not get to show it.

He got an opportunity last night with Ball on the shelf but didn’t do much to prove he’s long for Chicago, given his likely limited role and expiring contract.

Grade: D

Zach Collins

Stat line: 0 minutes

Collins didn’t sniff the floor, even in a blowout loss. Vucevic still played 29 minutes, Matas Buzelis has finally earned a starting role, Patrick Williams played 20 minutes off the bench and Jalen Smith had a productive night with 15 points and four made threes.

Should Vucevic continue to have a starter-level role and Smith maintain his position as Donovan’s preferred backup center, it may be hard for Collins to get on the floor.

Grade: N/A

Related Posts

BAY AREA BREAKDOWN: Warriors crush the Bulls in a statement win that exposes a shocking trend hiding beneath the box score, raising brutal questions about who’s rising and who’s falling apart. One thing’s crystal clear—this shift could reshape the entire season..ll

A shorthanded Warriors squad dominated the Bulls on the road, revealing a surprising trend that could shape their season.

How to Watch Golden State Warriors vs. Minnesota Timberwolves — Live from San Francisco on December 13, 2025..ll

Fans won’t want to miss the showdown at Chase Center as the Golden State Warriors host the Minnesota Timberwolves on December 13, 2025. With both teams battling…

Warriors vs. Timberwolves in San Francisco — Form, Head-to-Head & Key Storylines Ahead of Dec. 13, 2025..ll

Warriors vs. Timberwolves in San Francisco — Form, Head-to-Head & Key Storylines Ahead of Dec. 13, 2025 On December 13, 2025, Chase Center will heat up as…

Breaking!! New details about a potential Lakers trade target’s cost are raising big questions in Los Angeles

Lakers’ Trade Deadline Target Gets Surprising New Update on Cost The Los Angeles Lakers are still waiting for the Miami Heat to soften their stance on former…

Report: Luka Dončić Has a Surprising Trade Target in Mind for the Lakers

Luka Dončić Has a Bold Trade Target for Lakers… Luka Dončić has quickly become the new face of the Los Angeles Lakers, and his influence across the franchise may…

REPORT: Lakerѕ’ Trade Deadlіne Target Getѕ Surрrіѕіng New Uрdate on Coѕt

The Loѕ Angeleѕ Lakerѕ are ѕtіll waіtіng for the Mіamі Heat to ѕoften theіr ѕtance on former All-ѕtar Andrew Wіggіnѕ, but the lateѕt reрortіng ѕuggeѕtѕ lіttle рrogreѕѕ haѕ been made. Accordіng to NBA іnѕіder…