Bulls forward Derrick Jones Jr. can feel the love in the air in Paris and is making the most of the team's international vacation before the players even take the court.

In 2016, the forward entered the NBA, not as one of the NBA picks, but as an undrafted free agent after one year at UNLV. In 313 games with the Suns, the Heat, and the Blazers, he has averaged 6.5 points and 3.3 rebounds.

Jones Jr. inked a two-year, $6,6 million contract with the Bulls in July with a second-year option.

The current season is the Chester, Pennsylvania native's seventh in the NBA and his second with the Bulls. In 2021, he was moved from the Blazers and Cavaliers to the Bulls. The forward has come off the bench in all 33 games this season, averaging 5.7 points and 2.5 rebounds in 15.1 minutes per contest.

On the other hand, the Bulls have endured a difficult season. They concluded the season with a 20-24 record and were seventh in the Western Conference. Chicago would be in the play-in tournament if the season ended today, but they trail the 11th-placed Toronto Raptors by half a game and the 12th-placed Washington Wizards by 1.5 games.

In contrast, the Bulls are only two games behind the eighth slot, giving them two opportunities to make the playoffs. Moreover, they are four games below the sixth-place team, meaning they will not be required to participate in the play-in event. With their starting point guard Lonzo Ball returning soon, the Bulls still have a chance to turn things around.

Trip To Paris

The Bulls have been in Paris since Monday, where they will face the Pistons in the NBA Paris Game. The league has played 119 games outside the United States since 1984, including two this season. The game will begin at Accor Arena on Thursday at 2:00 p.m. Central time.

The forward's week has already been unusual because he will play an NBA regular-season game in France.

Two days before his Bulls team plays the Pistons at the Accor Arena in Paris, Derrick Jones Jr. made it one of the most memorable vacations of his life on Tuesday night.

Jones Jr. and Pritchett have been together for seven years and welcomed sons in 2018 and 2019. Shakara is from Ohio and attended Euclid High School, where she excelled in track and field. Little more is known about her background. Jones Jr. was preparing to enter the NBA Draft when they met in Cleveland right after Pritchett had recently graduated.

The forward proposed to his fiancée Shakara in front of his Bulls teammates at supper in Paris. The Bulls shared images and videos of the event on their social media platforms.

"Man, the time has come, so I have a question for you, Shakara: Will you make me the luckiest man on earth?"

She exclaimed, "Hell, yeah!" as her jaw fell.

Jones raised his arms twice and announced, "She said yes."

Jones Jr Enjoying Play

It is common knowledge that the Chicago Bulls rely heavily on their most outstanding players. But it is also common knowledge that any Association side that wishes to succeed must score from its reserves.

Even though Javonte Green's statistics do not stand out, the Bulls will miss his versatility and ability to provide a spark off the bench.

Due to Javonte Green's right knee surgery, Derrick Jones Jr. will start for a few weeks.

Jones Jr. has been informed by his coach five times this season that he did not play. He is averaging around 3 fewer minutes per game compared to last season.

Despite this, he has always been available when he is needed.

It isn't easy to be effective in the NBA to find a rhythm when there is little action. Despite this, Jones Jr. has always been ready to play and make a significant impact when his number is called.

Green underwent surgery on Wednesday and will be re-evaluated in two weeks. It is anticipated that he will be able to return in roughly a month, give or take a few days, depending on how his rehabilitation goes.

Jones Jr. will play more in the near future, regardless.