Chicago Bulls completed a second‑round deal on June 24, 2026, sending Purdue guard Braden Smith to Indiana for veteran guard Kam Jones, plus 2028 and 2030 pick swaps and cash. The move follows a cash‑only trade of the No. 56 pick to the Los Angeles Lakers earlier that night.
What did the Bulls give up?
The Bulls surrendered the 38th overall selection, used on Braden Smith, a 6‑foot‑4 guard from Purdue. Smith’s college résumé featured a 40.9% three‑point clip as a sophomore, but Chicago opted to flip the asset for immediate perimeter shooting. In return, Indiana handed over Jones, who was originally taken at No. 38 in the 2025 draft. He logged 37 games as a rookie, starting seven, and posted 4.4 points and 3.2 assists per outing.
Why Kam Jones matters for Chicago
At 24, Jones sits on the older side of the Bulls’ recent second‑round targets, a pattern highlighted by executive vice president Bryson Graham. Graham inherited a cache of 14 second‑rounders from Artūras Karnišovas and has been packaging them for cash or future flexibility. Jones brings a proven three‑point stroke—he hit 40.9% from deep in his sophomore year at Marquette—offering a ready‑made floor‑spacer for a squad that struggled to stretch the paint last season.
How the trade fits the Bulls’ rebuilding timeline
Chicago’s front office is juggling five remaining second‑round picks, looking to balance roster depth with salary‑cap maneuvering. By swapping a rookie for a player with a modest contract and a handful of future pick swaps, the Bulls keep cap space open while adding a guard who can contribute off the bench. The cash considerations from both the Lakers and Pacers trades also give Graham extra wiggle room for free‑agency moves.
Recent performance context
The Bulls entered the draft after a rough stretch, posting a recent form of 1W‑0D‑4L (LLLLW) and falling 149‑128 to the Dallas Mavericks on April 13, 2026. That loss underscored the need for reliable shooting, a gap Jones is expected to help fill.
What’s next for Chicago?
With the draft’s Day 1 selections—North Carolina forward Caleb Wilson at No. 4 and Texas guard Dailyn Swain at No. 15—already on board, the Bulls now have a blend of high‑upside youth and a seasoned shooter in Jones. Training camp will reveal whether his three‑point rhythm translates to the NBA pace, but the front office appears ready to lean on his experience while continuing to shuffle the remaining second‑round assets for roster balance.
Bottom line
Chicago’s June 24 trade signals a shift from hoarding draft capital to converting it into immediate on‑court help. Kam Jones arrives with a 40.9% three‑point record, a modest rookie salary, and the flexibility to keep the Bulls’ rebuild moving forward.