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Should the Chicago Bulls consider trading Coby White?
Chicago Bulls guard Coby White is in the final year of his contract, and both sides are yet to discuss an extension. With how good the Bulls' backcourt has been 12 games into the season, is it time for the organization to consider trading the 22-year-old?
Does a White trade make sense?
White has missed the last five games with a left quadriceps contusion -- Chicago went 3-2, with losses against the Celtics and Raptors. But even with their starting point guard Lonzo Ball out with injury, the Bulls had no trouble filling the point guard void over the span.
Is that enough for the organization to start thinking about moving on from White? According to Greg Swartz of Bleacher Report, it should be.
“After spending the 18th overall pick in the draft on Dalen Terry, seeing the rise of Ayo Dosunmu and with Alex Carso and Goran Dragic all on the roster, it's hard to envision White's role growing in Chicago, especially when Lonzo Ball returns from knee surgery,” Swartz said.
White is averaging career-lows of 8.1 points, 1.7 rebounds, and 1.7 assists in 21.9 minutes, shooting 38.2 percent from the field and 29.4 percent from three-point range in seven games.
Rookie Dalen Terry finally saw real NBA minutes on Sunday, and there’s no timetable for Lonzo Ball’s return. However, Ayo Dosunmu and Goran Dragic are thriving in their respective roles. That's why White might be an odd man out. However, a change of scenery could be just what he needs.
“Rebuilding teams that can offer White a role as a sixth man or spot starter should have an interest in bringing in the 7th overall pick of 2019, seeing what he can do with a bigger share of the offense,” Swartz added.
When will White return?
White got injured in the 114-109 home loss against the 76ers on October 29, and he’s missed the last five games. As far as a timetable for his return goes, Bulls head coach Billy Donovan had no update before Sunday's game against the Raptors.
“He’s still experiencing quite a bit of pain there, so just trying to get him back and healthy,” Donovan said. “I don’t know the timetable for him right now.”
White has had a rocky tenure with the Bulls, but he can make an impact, especially on offense. The streaky shooter proved his worth in the 129-124 road loss against the Spurs on October 28 by scoring 19 points with four rebounds and four assists on 7-of-14 shooting and 3-of-7 from beyond the arc.
If he can do the same once he's back from injury, White's tenure in Chicago might not be over yet. But with how the rest of the Bulls' backcourt is playing, he better make the most of every minute he's out on the court.
