Bulls Rumors: 3 young players to give up in a Lonzo Ball trade
Players to send to Nola for Lonzo Ball No. 1: Coby White
What would be the riskiest move for Karnisovas and the Bulls at the deadline in a potential Lonzo deal would be parting ways with the likes of second-year former North Carolina Tar Heels point guard Coby White. The 2019-20 All-Rookie Second-Team selection isn’t having the season that many envisioned he would after a red hot end to his rookie campaign in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Just like WCJ did post-All-Star Break, White lost his role in the starting five to a more veteran player. Ironically though, the player that replaced White in the starting five is one that reportedly was shopped in trade discussions to nab Lonzo, in Sato.
The Bulls could part ways with either White or Sato and realistically get a more than capable replacement on both ends of the floor in Lonzo. While Ball isn’t the volume scorer that White is or the reliable catch-and-shooter/distributor on the offensive end that Sato is, he could do a lot of what either does (and a lot of what they don’t).
This is a largely disappointing result for White so far more than halfway through his sophomore campaign in the NBA. His player efficiency rating, box plus/minus rating, and win shares are all on pace to be lower this season than they were during his rookie campaign.
Next. Trade targets to avoid that could derail progress. dark
A starting backcourt that would feature star shooting guard Zach LaVine and Lonzo would do a lot of the good that either White or Sato could with the first-time All-Star selection. Lonzo gives the length and versatile two-way presence that Sato can, and he can be an offensive spark plug as a distributor or driving the lane like White.