© Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports
Chicago Bulls reportedly insist Coby White is off-limits in any trade talks
Which direction the Chicago Bulls would take at the trade deadline remains a huge question mark. Will the team decide to blow the roster up? Or will they retain the status quo? However, what’s clear is that budding star Coby White is set to remain a Bull past the deadline on February 8.
Breakout season
White’s first three seasons in the NBA were mired in inconsistency. While he showed flashes of brilliance occasionally, the consensus about the former Tar Heel was that he was bound to be a one-dimensional player who scores and does little of anything else.
The narrative around the Goldsboro native began changing last season when he displayed improved playmaking, shot selection, and defense. This season, White continued his ascendance to rising star status, averaging 19.2 points, 5.1 assists, and 4.7 rebounds per game.
Many believe White is only starting to scratch the surface of his potential, making him a valuable asset for the Chicago Bulls. His breakout season has not gone unnoticed by other teams, who are surely keeping an eye on the young guard as the trade deadline approaches. Despite rumors and speculation, White is set to stay with the Bulls past the February 8th deadline.
“After he was considered available at last year’s trade deadline and before the 2023 NBA Draft, Coby White is now considered off limits in Chicago, sources said, after this breakout season,” Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports reported.
A true foundational piece
The ground on which the Bulls stand right now is shaky at best. With All-Star guard Zach LaVine out for the rest of the season, the Bulls are still competitive enough to make a run at the Play-in Tournament or even the NBA Playoffs. However, nobody expects this team to sow the seeds of a championship contender.
This leaves the Bulls’ front office in a tenuous predicament. Do they make a bold move and go tear this roster down, or do they play it safe and keep hoping this roster becomes healthier? The former seems to be a wise choice, as the Bulls are still in rebuilding mode after years of mediocrity.
That’s where White comes in. With his heads-up playmaking and elite shotmaking skills, the young point guard has shown he can lead the Bulls well into the future. If the Bulls go all-in on White and build around him, it could pay off in a big way for the franchise. The Bulls have a strong foundation to build upon with LaVine as their primary scorer, White as their floor general, and other solid players like Ayo Dosunmu and Patrick Williams.
