1) Bold predictions for Chicago Bulls’ Coby White
Averages 18 points per game and five assists
You would naturally expect White to see his per game stats elevated a good bit if he’s getting a bigger role and more starts this season. But he did get to play in just under 26 minutes per game last season, despite getting just one start. That’s a good amount of playing time for a rookie who was essentially a second unit point guard for most of the season.
There’s a good chance that White will get more in the ballpark of 30 minutes per game during his sophomore campaign. Sato averaged just shy of 29 minutes per game last season, and White will assume a lot of that role and those minutes that he got. With defensive stopper point guard Kris Dunn out of this rotation too, that’s around 25 more minutes per game that White could take some part in.
Last season, White averaged 18.5 points per 36 minutes, 4.9 rebounds, and 3.8 assists. It’s not out of the question to think that White could more efficiently averaged 18 points per game and five assists this season if his role is elevated in his second year compared to his rookie campaign.
The value that White brings to the table for the Bulls would really be elevated if he was able to average around 18-20 points per game, five rebounds, and five assists, while shooting at least 44-45 percent from the field and 38-40 percent from beyond the arc. That would truly make him one of the most promising young point guards in the NBA.