The Chicago Bulls already traded one of their top scorers last season when they sent Zach LaVine to the Sacramento Kings at the deadline. Could they move another one of their high-octane guards before the start of the 2025-26 campaign?
Coby White has been floated in some loose trade speculation this offseason, with the former first-round pick preparing to enter the final year of his contract. However, it doesn’t look like the Bulls are in any rush to send him packing.
More news: Report: Heat, Nets Pull Off Surprising NBA Late-Offseason Trade
An NBA executive has told Ashish Mathur of Dallas Hoops Journal that Chicago probably isn’t going to trade White anytime soon.
“I know multiple teams tried to trade for Coby this summer,” the exec said. “There was some chatter that he was almost traded on draft night. The Bulls love him though. He’s not going anywhere. They have shot down trade inquiries for him.”
Well, if Chicago loves him that much, perhaps he wasn’t almost dealt on draft night after all? Unless, of course, the Bulls received a pretty hefty offer for the youngster.
White averaged a career-high 20.4 points per game last season, adding 4.5 assists and 3.7 rebounds over 33.1 minutes a night. He achieved all of that on 45.3/37.0/90.2 shooting splits, good for a true-shooting percentage of 60.1 percent.
The 25-year-old has also shown significant improvement on the defensive side of the ball, although his overall output on that end leaves much to be desired.
But even if White only plays one end of the floor well, it could be enough for Chicago to commit to him long term, particularly considering that the Bulls are not exactly teeming with prolific scorers.
White, who played his collegiate basketball at North Carolina, was selected by Chicago with the seventh overall pick of the 2019 NBA Draft. He finished fifth in Rookie of the Year voting during his debut campaign, but his progression largely stalled over the next several seasons.
Then, in 2023-24, White had a breakout showing of sorts, registering 19.1 points, 5.1 assists and 4.5 boards across 36.5 minutes per game while shooting 44.7 percent from the floor, 37.6 percent from three-point range and 83.8 percent from t the free-throw line.
More news: Boston Celtics Make Big Move With Critical Draft Pick
White’s efficiency definitely saw a noticeable jump last season, which could indicate that he has finally turned a corner. Plus, the Goldsboro, N.C. native will earn just $12.9 million in 2025-26, making him a rather big-time bargain for the Bulls.
Chicago went 39-43 last season and has made the playoffs just once since the 2017-18 campaign. The Bulls have also posted just one winning record since 2016-17.
For more on the Chicago Bulls and general NBA news, head on over to Newsweek Sports.
Read the full article here
