Bulls keeping Carlik Jones looks better by the day |
Although all the attention is focused on the MLB playoff push and the beginning of the NFL season, we must remember the NBA season, as they will begin training camp in roughly three weeks. With that comes a new season for the Chicago Bulls and one filled with mixed expectations, depending on who you ask.
With most of their roster predetermined ahead of the season and not enough financial flexibility to do much, the Bulls did what they needed to do as they resigned Nikola Vucevic and Coby White while adding Jevon Carter and Torrey Craig to this roster. You also have your two-way contracts, rookie deals, and other minor league free-agent moves as their roster appears set for the start of camp. One player who generated a ton of buzz last season and was a very quiet topic this offseason was Carlik Jones and his future with the team. The reigning G-League MVP had an incredible season in 2022-23, where he averaged 23.1 PPG and 7.0 APG, which was good for ninth in the league. His play earned him some time on the NBA roster late in the season, where he played minimal minutes but did show tons of potential when on the floor. In desperate need of some scoring punch off the bench, especially after Derrick Jones Jr. and Javonte Green no longer a part of this team, Jones was a player discussed to fill one of those roles. Still, it appeared as if the Bulls would let him walk after Jevon Freeman-Liberty broke out during the summer league. After Freeman-Liberty signed with the Raptors, the Bulls had an opportunity to add another player in free agency but chose to bring back Jones instead. That puts more pressure on a rotation thin at the forward position while adding another guard into a deep guard rotation, so the fit doesn't seem as plausible as it sounds. There is no question that Jones can be a solid role player at the NBA level, and you can look at his offensive upside from last season. However, he has never had a chance to show his talents at the NBA level consistently. Perhaps the 2023-24 season is the year Jones gets his opportunity and shows what he can do, no matter the role he is given. While he’s still waiting for his number to be called in the NBA, Jones has not wasted a single opportunity to prove himself on the biggest stages in the world. This summer, he’s taken it upon himself to represent South Sudan in the 2023 FIBA World Cup. This was also the first time the South Sudan Nation had qualified for that event, but Jones took it upon himself to deliver even more history. Despite posting an unreal 35 points, 11 assists, six rebounds, and four steals in their opener against Puerto Rico, Jones couldn’t quite get the job done in a narrow 96-101 loss, which was expected coming off his first game. The loss put his team on the brink of elimination as South Sudan couldn't afford to lose one more game, and with China on the horizon, things were not looking good. As it turns out, Jones isn’t ready to go home just yet because Carlik dropped 21 points and six assists to lead South Sudan to a 20-point victory over China, and Sudan will now be heading to their first-ever FIBA World Cup. Going back to last season, Jones was always known as a good shooter but had a somewhat unpolished rest of his game. Not only has he worked on that, but he has shown a far more advanced game in the past and one that is starting to translate into a more complete player. Seeing the raw emotion from Jones and the rest of his team when they knocked off China is something they will never forget, and to have a guy as humble as him in the Bulls locker room will be refreshing. With Chicago bringing him back for the upcoming season, Jones will have an opportunity to show what he can do and earn the trust of Billy Donovan during the preseason. It will be up to him to make the most of his opportunities, and should he find his way to a regular role this season, don't be surprised to see him give Chicago 8-10 points off the bench. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ISO1lqRtU60 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=caVekECYmi8
