Chicago Bulls: Winners and losers on a draft night with upside
By Willie Lutz
WINNER: Coby White
Heading into the NBA, Coby White is in a really good position to succeed with the Chicago Bulls. Alongside a crew of young, promising players, he’ll be able to take his time gelling into an offense that needed another scoring guard last season.
The path for White to fall to Chicago seemed rocky. Once the heavy favorite to find a home with the Phoenix Suns at six, the Suns traded their pick to the Minnesota Timberwolves, who then seemed the likely suitors of White.
Instead, Minnesota drafted Jarrett Culver and the point guard-needy Bulls landed the potential best point guard in the draft class. Maybe White will play with a chip on his shoulder knowing the Suns, who might’ve given him a promise at #6, let him pass.
Another credit on the side of John Paxson and Gar Forman, Coby White has a great chance to succeed next season. Armed with LaVine, Markkanen, Carter, Otto Porter Jr., and even #38 pick Daniel Gafford, White has guys who can help him be a locomotive in transition. White feeding lobs to Carter and Gafford should make for some nice ESPN Top 10 moments.
With his work ethic and background, White will thrive in Chicago over the next few years. Jim Boylen will give him the keys to an offense that’ll have an offseason to mesh.
The Bulls spent a lot of time scouting Ja Morant, could’ve traded up to nab Darius Garland, but instead found themselves a great fit in Coby White. They add another playmaker to an increasingly potent arsenal of scorers. Expect the ball to go through the net a lot more next season.