Tre Jones Reflects on Tanking, Bulls Navigate Final Stretch With Draft Odds in Mind

Tre Jones, a guard for the Chicago Bulls and former San Antonio Spur, spoke candidly this week about the difficult experiences associated with losing seasons and how those struggles can lead to transformational opportunities for NBA teams. Reflecting on his third year in San Antonio during the 2022-23 campaign, Jones described the pain of a 22-win season and a 16-game losing streak, as well as the excitement that followed when the Spurs secured the number one pick in the draft and selected Victor Wembanyama.

Jones explained the emotional toll that season took on players, emphasizing that competing to win remains the top priority for athletes, regardless of management's decisions or draft lottery odds. "It should be frustrating losing games, but obviously that summer you receive the No. 1 pick and you know who that No. 1 pick is. You know it’s someone that will change the franchise around, potentially," Jones said. Despite the arrival of Wembanyama, Jones noted that building a winning team is a long-term process, as evidenced by the Spurs landing another high draft pick the following year.

This season, the Bulls find themselves in a similar position. With only six games remaining in the regular season, Chicago holds a narrow edge in the draft lottery odds ahead of Milwaukee. The team recently sat guard Josh Giddey due to left hamstring tightness, and his status is listed as day-to-day as the Bulls weigh the risks of playing him before the season concludes.

Chicago’s management has made late-season roster moves to strengthen their position ahead of what is expected to be a strong 2026 NBA Draft class. Although the gap between the Bulls’ current position and a higher lottery slot is small—a 7% difference in top-four odds between the ninth and tenth spots—Jones maintains his focus on competing every night. He expressed no interest in tanking strategies, insisting on his commitment to helping the team win whenever he steps on the court.

The Bulls are set to finish the season with one of the league’s easiest schedules, including two games against Washington and a final game in Dallas. As the regular season draws to a close, the organization continues to weigh its priorities between immediate competitiveness and the potential for future talent through the draft.