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The Bulls waived Kam Jones at the start of free agency, saving a little over $1 million in salary
One week after acquiring Kam Jones from the Indiana Pacers in a draft-day trade, the Chicago Bulls announced they will be waiving the guard.
The Bulls sent the rights to the No. 38 pick Braden Smith to Indiana along with another second-rounder in exchange for Jones, future second-round pick swaps in 2028 and 2030 and cash considerations. Jones had just finished his rookie season with the Pacers after coincidentally enough being the No. 38 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft.
In his sole season in Indiana, the 6-foot-4 guard appeared in 37 games, including seven starts , and averaged 4.4 points, 3.2 assists and 1.6 rebounds in just over 16 minutes per game. Jones showed flashes of promise after the trade deadline but was never really able to break into a consistent role in the Pacers' backcourt rotation.
Waiving Jones this early is less of an indictment on their evaluation of Jones' talent and more of a reflection on where the Chicago Bulls roster stands on the day free agency opens up.
The Bulls enter the month of July with limited roster spots available and multiple guaranteed deals already given to the backcourt. New Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations Bryson Graham seems to value the flexibility as he reads the free agent market in his first offseason with the Bulls. Graham's first few moves in charge have been viewed positively, including trading for center Nic Claxton, and drafting forward Caleb Wilson with the No. 4 pick and Dailyn Swain with the No. 15 pick.
The Bulls have been linked to names like veteran scoring wing Norman Powell, who could provide valuable scoring off the bench for next year's team. They have also been mentioned in connection with guard Quentin Grimes, who fits the type of profile that Bryson Graham seems to be targeting. Grimes struggled from behind the 3-point line last season but historically is the type of shooter that could help space the floor for players like Matas Buzelis and Caleb Wilson on the offensive end.
Any pursuit of Powell, Grimes or another similar player would further crowd any minutes that might be available at the guard and wing spot. An acquisition would make it tougher for a fringe rotation player like Jones was projected to be to have meaningful impact on the team and thus ultimately the Bulls decided to be proactive during free agency instead of being reactive.
Jones had a stellar collegiate career at Marquette, appearing in 137 games and starting for three seasons. He averaged 19.2 points, 5.9 assists, 4.5 rebounds and 1.4 steals in his senior season. That production, combined with his size makes him intriguing for a combo guard position somewhere in the league.
Jones will now enter free agency after only one season in the NBA. He will be seeking out opportunities that can offer clearer opportunities to play meaningful minutes on the court.
In the short-term, this move probably will not have much impact on the Bulls' top-end rotation, but it may give a glimpse to understanding the priorities of this Bulls front office as they embark on their first offseason.
Continue reading...
One week after acquiring Kam Jones from the Indiana Pacers in a draft-day trade, the Chicago Bulls announced they will be waiving the guard.
The Bulls sent the rights to the No. 38 pick Braden Smith to Indiana along with another second-rounder in exchange for Jones, future second-round pick swaps in 2028 and 2030 and cash considerations. Jones had just finished his rookie season with the Pacers after coincidentally enough being the No. 38 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft.
In his sole season in Indiana, the 6-foot-4 guard appeared in 37 games, including seven starts , and averaged 4.4 points, 3.2 assists and 1.6 rebounds in just over 16 minutes per game. Jones showed flashes of promise after the trade deadline but was never really able to break into a consistent role in the Pacers' backcourt rotation.
Waiving Jones this early is less of an indictment on their evaluation of Jones' talent and more of a reflection on where the Chicago Bulls roster stands on the day free agency opens up.
The Bulls enter the month of July with limited roster spots available and multiple guaranteed deals already given to the backcourt. New Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations Bryson Graham seems to value the flexibility as he reads the free agent market in his first offseason with the Bulls. Graham's first few moves in charge have been viewed positively, including trading for center Nic Claxton, and drafting forward Caleb Wilson with the No. 4 pick and Dailyn Swain with the No. 15 pick.
The Bulls have been linked to names like veteran scoring wing Norman Powell, who could provide valuable scoring off the bench for next year's team. They have also been mentioned in connection with guard Quentin Grimes, who fits the type of profile that Bryson Graham seems to be targeting. Grimes struggled from behind the 3-point line last season but historically is the type of shooter that could help space the floor for players like Matas Buzelis and Caleb Wilson on the offensive end.
Any pursuit of Powell, Grimes or another similar player would further crowd any minutes that might be available at the guard and wing spot. An acquisition would make it tougher for a fringe rotation player like Jones was projected to be to have meaningful impact on the team and thus ultimately the Bulls decided to be proactive during free agency instead of being reactive.
Jones had a stellar collegiate career at Marquette, appearing in 137 games and starting for three seasons. He averaged 19.2 points, 5.9 assists, 4.5 rebounds and 1.4 steals in his senior season. That production, combined with his size makes him intriguing for a combo guard position somewhere in the league.
Jones will now enter free agency after only one season in the NBA. He will be seeking out opportunities that can offer clearer opportunities to play meaningful minutes on the court.
In the short-term, this move probably will not have much impact on the Bulls' top-end rotation, but it may give a glimpse to understanding the priorities of this Bulls front office as they embark on their first offseason.
Continue reading...
