As the NBA’s free-agent negotiating period opened, the Bulls, wasting no time in giving their coach a player he loved to gush about this past season, agreed to keep point guard Tre Jones on a three-year, $24 million deal.

After joining the Chicago Bulls at the trade deadline in Februrary, Tre Jones quickly made a strong impression on the coaching staff and front office.

Jones had spent the first four seasons of his NBA career with the San Antonio Spurs but was moved to the Bulls at the deadline as part of the De'Aaron Fox trade. In 46 games with Chi Town, the 25-year-old averaged 11.5 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 4.9 assists while shooting 57.2% from the field and 50% from behind the arc.