Bulls forward Derrick Jones doesn’t have to officially make a decision on his player option for the 2023/24 season until June, but he tells K.C. Johnson of NBC Sports Chicago that he’s “for sure” planning to exercise that option.
Jones signed a two-year, $6.56MM contract with Chicago last summer that includes an opt-out decision after year one. If he opts in, he’d earn a guaranteed $3.36MM salary in ’23/24.
“Like I told coach (Billy Donovan) and everybody else, I’m locked in for two years. I didn’t sign for two years for no reason. So I’m here for two years,” Jones said. “I just gotta sit down with my agent and talk to him, figure things out. But I don’t see why not. I got no other plans, yet.”
Jones, 26, appeared in 64 games for the Bulls this past season, averaging 5.0 points and 2.4 rebounds and shooting .500/.338/.738 in 14.0 minutes per night. With the exception of his three-point percentage, those numbers were all down from the ones he posted during his first year in Chicago in 2021/22. However, he continues to enjoy his time with the organization.
“I just love being with these guys,” Jones told Johnson. “I know my role isn’t always what I want it to be. I’ve been through a few injuries that might’ve set me back a little bit. I feel like a healthy DJ for all 82 is very special. But I feel like I’ve played well when given minutes. I’ve done everything I can do with the role that I was given. Sometimes, I need to be a little more aggressive offensively. But defensively, I just do what I do.”
Given his modest role and production in 2022/23, Jones might only be in line for a minimum-salary contract, which would be worth a projected $2,669,586, if he opts for free agency. Picking up the option would give him a little more financial security, whether or not he’s in the Bulls’ plans going forward (his expiring deal could make him a trade candidate). Still, he believes he’s capable of showing more than he has so far in Chicago, particularly on the defensive end.
“I just love guarding,” Jones said. “That’s one thing I learned in my career: Defense wins championships. I want to be All-Defensive team one day. I feel like I could do it. I just need the right opportunity and proper amount of minutes.”
Jones isn’t the only Bull with a $3.36MM player option for 2023/24. As our list of free agents by team shows, veteran center Andre Drummond will have to make a decision on an identical option.
Of course he opted in. He probably wouldn’t get a contract if he didn’t.
He’d land a minimum deal somewhere. I do enjoy the act of “I was in for the long haul, thats why I signed for 2 years”. Sounds a lot better than “My agent got me an opt out so I could bet on myself and it didn’t pan out”
I thought he was worth more than the contract. Glad DJJ is sticking around.
Hopefully Bulls can bring in a good high IQ passing pg this off-season. I like their team but they need a floor general and unfortunately it’s hard to believe Lonzo will ever be healthy again
A reunion w Troy brown would look good on this team
Drummond is likely to opt in as well I guess? Dont see him getting more on the open market.
If the Bulls actually want to improve the roster via trade, both Ones and Drummond on expirings would have value to contenders. One is a leaper and the other is a rebound machine. As part of a potential Lavine or DeRozan deal, they might fit into a 3-team structure in which the Bulls could get younger and faster. But I am off course dreaming that the Bulls actually understand this is a flawed roster.