The 2025 NBA offseason was rather quiet, especially for the Chicago Bulls. After drafting 18-year-old Noa Essengue in the 2025 NBA Draft, Chicago traded Lonzo Ball to acquire Isaac Okoro and re-signed point guard Tre Jones to a three-year, $24 million contract. That’s about it.

While adding a wing, or an athletic big man, was atop the Bulls’ offseason to-do list, Chicago opted for neither, instead re-signing Jones. Of course, the former could be lumped into the Essengue and Okoro additions, but the fervor of each move wasn’t necessarily felt.

Furthermore, the impact of Jones’ re-signing is also subtle, flying under the radar despite its importance. Jones, like Kevin Huerter and Zach Collins, was essentially a throw-in in the salary-dumping trade of Zach LaVine. The Bulls obviously preferred retaining LaVine, just not at a $95 million price tag over two years. Thus, a trade wad made.

Collins, Huerter, and Jones all had far more manageable contracts—especially Jones, who arrived in Chicago with just one year left on his deal. Still, with an abundance of guards, it was fair to wonder whether Jones would remain. Flipping Jones and Huerter was even discussed after each player was traded to the Windy City. True to the usual expectations, each player stuck around for the entirety of the season.

And, one of the players, as mentioned above, even signed a contract extension. Despite the Bulls’ considerable number of guards, re-signing Jones was a savvy move. Not only for next season, but beyond.

Re-signing Tre Jones is a brilliant move for the Bulls’ future

First and foremost, Jones impressed in his limited time as a Bull. The former San Antonio Spur averaged 11.5 points, 3.2 rebounds, 4.9 assists, and 1.1 steals per game in 18 appearances as a Bull. Moreover, Jones converted 57.2 percent of his field goals and 50.0 percent of his three-pointers.

Most importantly, he was even better as a starter. In nine starts for the Bulls, Jones totaled 14.9 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 7.1 assists per game, converting 57.3 percent of his field goal attempts and 57.1 percent of his triples.

Given his performance, there’s no doubt that Jones will be a reliable presence for Chicago moving ahead. It’s unlikely Jones will start anytime soon, but it’s not out of the realm of possibility. Starting point, Josh Giddey, remains a free agent. But, he’s not even the most likely flight risk at this juncture.

That honor goes to Coby White, who’s only on the books for one more season at merely $12.9 million. Chicago’s leading scorer is an enormous flight risk. Unlike Giddey, the North Carolina product will enter free agency as an unrestricted free agent unless he miraculously signs a limited (130 percent raise) contract extension between now and the beginning of next summer.

Naturally, fellow guard Ayo Dosunmu is a more than capable replacement if White were to depart. Even so, the 6-foot-5 do-it-all guard could bolt. That leaves Jones. Who, as mentioned, signed a three-year extension.

Re-signing Jones through 2028, with a team option, has flown under the radar—but it’s a smart move for the Bulls in the meantime. No, he might not start, or even play 20-plus minutes in 2025-26, but he’ll be on the shelf as a potential starter come 2026-27.