What Should the Chicago Bulls Make of Tre Jones' Season, Future?

At 19-21 and the No. 9 seed in the Eastern Conference, it's clear that the current Chicago Bulls are not built to contend for NBA titles. Regardless of whether Arturas Karnisovas and Marc Eversley decide to 'blow it up' at the deadline or twiddle their thumbs until free agency, the team's lineup will almost certainly look different by this time next year.

Unrestricted free agents Coby White and Ayo Dosunmu have garnered most of the headlines ahead of the Feb. 5 trade deadline, but Karnisovas and Eversley also have an interesting decision to make regarding Tre Jones.

At 26 years old, the point guard isn't quite a part of the Bulls' 'young talent' group that features Josh Giddey (23), Matas Buzelis (21) and Noa Essengue (19). However, he's also not an expiring contract that Chicago is expected to move, such as Nikola Vucevic (35), Zach Collins (28), Kevin Huerter (27) and Jevon Carter (30).

The front office's looming decisions on White and Dosunmu will largely depend on whether it believes Jones can replace their production at a much better value. In his sixth NBA season, the former Duke Blue Devil is averaging near career highs of 12.4 points, 5.6 assists, 2.9 rebounds and 1.3 steals per game while shooting 53.3% from the field.

Jones has started 19 games this season amid injuries to White and Giddey, and he's stepped up in their absence. In eight appearances since New Year's Eve, Jones has posted 13.3 points and 7.6 assists to just 1.5 turnovers per game. The 6-foot-1 guard has done so on 57.6% shooting and 38.9% from deep.

Karnisovas and Eversley will need to decide whether Jones' miniature breakout is a sign of his long-term potential or a byproduct of his increased minutes. If they believe it's the former, and they uncovered a hidden gem in the Zach LaVine trade, Jones is certainly not too old to join the Giddey-Buzelis group.

The sixth-year player is also on a great contract, just $8 million annually through 2027-28 with a club option on the final year.

But if Jones' hot stretch is merely because of his expanded role, it may be in the Bulls' best interest to deal him while his value is high. The fact that he's locked into an affordable contract for multiple years would likely be attractive to prospective trade partners and net better draft capital for Chicago. White and Dosunmu are undoubtedly better players, but the team that trades for them would need to sign them to an extension, which could diminish the Bulls' return.

There are several different avenues that Chicago could take ahead of next month's trade deadline. The front office can't continue to hope that its water will magically turn into wine, and regardless of the direction the franchise takes, any choice other than staying pat would signal hope that there is some sort of vision for the team.