MIAMI, FLORIDA – APRIL 19: Coby White #0 of the Chicago Bulls looses control of the ball against the … [+] Miami Heat in the fourth quarter during the Play-In Tournament at Kaseya Center on April 19, 2024 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Rich Storry/Getty Images)
The Chicago Bulls are in a tough situation with breakout guard Coby White.
In 2023, the organization re-signed the 6’5 to a team-friendly deal of $36 million over three years.
That deal, however, has become too team-friendly, as Chicago has no way of extending White due to the 140% rule, something that has been covered on this site before.
Essentially, teams are allowed to extend a player’s contract using 140% of the player’s last salaried year as the calculation point. Alternatively, a team can use the league’s average salary, and then go off the 140% from there, whichever is greatest.
Regardless of what the Bulls do, White has outplayed both scenarios, by averaging over 19 points per game last season, along with 4.5 rebounds, and 5.1 assists. It’s quite simply too optimistic to expect the Bulls to be able to retain him via extension.
Now, Chicago can technically offer more than anyone else in 2026, when White becomes an unrestricted free agent, but if they hang onto him for that long, they run the risk of losing him for nothing, given that other teams could outbid them.
Chicago, more than likely, won’t make a max offer due to White likely not reaching that threshold. As such, teams can basically offer the same amount, unless Chicago drastically overpays. That, too, seems like a scenario the Bulls would like to avoid.
That leaves one option, and it’s an option the Bulls need to explore posthaste.
It’s time to trade Coby White, preferably now.
The Bulls themselves just went through a similar situation with Alex Caruso, where they kept him for too long, on a salary that was far below his actual worth, and ultimately ended up with far less than what they could have ended up with, had they moved on it sooner.
As of right now, Chicago appears to make a similar mistake with White, who has two years left on his deal at just under $25 million total.
Teams will stand in line to acquire a talent like White, particularly due to the contract that he’s on. The team that gets him knows they’ll have a shot at having White perform for them during two playoff years, as opposed to one, like the situation the Bulls created for themselves with Caruso, who was traded to Oklahoma City with just one season left on his deal.
White’s modest salary is also very easy to match in a potential trade, making it even more attractive to potential bidders.
The Bulls should be rewarded handsomely for relinquishing a young talent, who’s both productive and cheap, as long as they’re able to negotiate a proper return, that is.
It’s fair to wonder why it is that the Bulls should be indirectly penalized for making a good deal. They’re in a similar situation with Ayo Dosunmu, and just went through it with Caruso.
If Jalen Smith breaks out, which isn’t unrealistic, the Bulls will once again find themselves in a tough situation when his three-year deal worth $27 million total is about to run out.
However, it also makes sense that the Bulls would need to be realistic. What exactly would be keeping White in Chicago if the team is once again lacking in the competitive department, and other teams can offer similar financial opportunities?
That question was one they asked themselves with Caruso, and they’ll need to answer that question for Dosunmu, and potentially Smith, down the line.
So, what can the Bulls get for White if they move on it now?
Given their history of making trades, probably less than other teams. But in a world where Bulls management functions as they’re supposed to, it wouldn’t be outlandish to ask for – or even demand – at least two first-round selections of only modest protection.
If the Bulls send White to a contender, they could even ask for more, as those picks are likely to come in later in the draft.
Are those picks as fun to watch on the court as White for Bulls fans? Clearly not, but therein lies the sacrifice.
Unless the Bulls wish to make a late-season desperation trade during the 2026 trade deadline, where they’ll receive pennies compared to the dollars they can get now, it’s time to act.
Unless noted otherwise, all stats via NBA.com, PBPStats, Cleaning the Glass or Basketball-Reference. All salary information via Spotrac. All odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook.
