For the Chicago Bulls to start the season 4-0, they needed an unsung hero. Tre Jones has filled that role.
With Coby White sidelined to begin the year, head coach Billy Donovan needed someone he could trust to fill the hole in the starting lineup. He opted for Jones on opening night against the Detroit Pistons, and all the 25-year-old has done since is prove him right.
The guard has averaged 12.5 points, 7.5 assists, and 3.5 rebounds over his first four games of the season. While questions about his fit next to Josh Giddey would have been understandable, Jones has not created a reason for any of those. He has fit in perfectly to the Bulls’ uptempo and equal-opportunity offense both on and off the ball. However, that’s not even what I want to praise him for today!
Where Jones has truly shone is on the opposite side of the ball. The Chicago Bulls have stunningly held the third-highest defensive rating in the NBA to begin the season. The only two teams in front of them are the reigning champion Oklahoma City Thunder and the Victor Wembanyama-led San Antonio Spurs. Now, do I believe these numbers are inflated thanks to uncharacteristically poor shooting from behind the arc by some of their opponents? Yes, and I think it’s only a matter of time before that proves itself to be true.
Mar 6, 2025; Orlando, Florida, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Tre Jones (30) is guarded by Orlando Magic forward Tristan da Silva (23) in the fourth quarter at Kia Center. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn ImagesHowever, at least some of this defensive success can be chalked up to the individual effort of Jones. Basketball-Reference currently gives him a defensive box plus-minus of 3.7 to start the year. He is consistently locked in on this end of the floor and finding a way to turn defense into offense. In fact, Jones hasn’t merely been one of the Bulls’ best defenders but also one of the NBA’s top turnover creators!
Jones is currently tied with the Milwaukee Bucks’ Ryan Rollins for the league lead in total steals at 12. Right behind him are former All-Defensive Team members Dyson Daniels and Matisse Thybulle. Jones has recorded at least two steals in each of the Bulls’ four games thus far, and he even recorded five steals against the Magic in the Bulls’ second game of the regular season.
So much to like about Tre Jones.He’s got 10 STL in three games, which is behind only MIL’s Ryen Rollins for NBA lead (and Rollins has a game on him).His ability to cut off entry passes has been awesome. Teams think they can take advantage of his size but he fights like hell. pic.twitter.com/LHRGmygSAS
— Elias Schuster (@Schuster_Elias) October 29, 2025Now, is it likely that Jones goes on to finish the season at the top of the leaderboard? Probably not. Some more proven defenders will likely begin to separate themselves, and we also have to consider that Jones could see his role (and thus his opportunities) reduced slightly when White returns. At the same time, who’s to say Jones can’t find a way to become a more prominent part of the conversation?
What really bodes well for Jones is the fact that he isn’t simply picking opponents’ pockets. He is actually far better at reading the offense and disrupting passing lanes, specifically entry passes. The guard has also benefited from repeatedly being in the right place at the right time. When the defense is collapsing or a ball is loose, it’s Jones who finds himself snatching it and leading the fastbreak in the blink of an eye. It’s been incredibly impressive to watch his sheer focus on this side of the ball.
None of this is to say the Bulls have found their next Alex Caruso or that Jones will solve all that may start to ail this team defensively. However, for a team that isn’t generating that many turnovers to begin the year (dead-last in opponent TOVs through four games), Jones has proven to be an incredibly important asset. And I have a feeling he will continue to be in more ways than one.
Hence then, the article about so the chicago bulls currently have the nba s leader in steals was published today ( ) and is available on Bleacher Nation ( Middle East ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( So … the Chicago Bulls Currently Have the NBA’s Leader in Steals )
Also on site :