Do we know what any NBA team will do ahead of the trade deadline? No.
Do we know what the Chicago Bulls will do? Absolutely not.
The Bulls have been one of the most difficult teams to pinpoint in recent seasons. From holding onto veterans like Zach LaVine and Nikola Vucevic far past their peak trade value, to making minimal impact free-agent signings, to prioritizing player-for-player swaps over draft capital in trades, Chicago’s front office has repeatedly zigged where logic suggested it should zag.
The Bulls’ next move is anyone’s guess
Nonetheless, there’s still time to rectify the shoddy decision-making. Of course, Vice President of Basketball Operations Artūras Karnišovas remains the lead decision-maker—so there’s that. Still, AK has made some better choices as of late. Despite his odd penchant for player-for-player swaps, the Alex Caruso–for–Josh Giddey and Lonzo Ball–for–Isaac Okoro deals have actually paid off. Both trades easily could have included draft capital, given how coveted Caruso and Ball were at the time, but in this case, the results have softened the criticism.
Karnišovas’ next major decisions will likely involve the aforementioned Vucevic and impending free agent Coby White. Both have been subject to trade speculation for quite some time, particularly Vucevic, who is 35 years old and no longer fits the Bulls’ core. White, on the other hand, remains a valuable asset, but he’s due for a significant raise this offseason—one Chicago may be reluctant to pay.
Consequently, White’s situation is the more pressing matter. If Vucevic is traded, fine. He’ll likely be sent elsewhere for a future second-rounder at this point. If not, he’ll bolt in free agency. White, meanwhile, presents a far more complex decision. Once viewed as a crucial component of Chicago’s future, that perception has slightly shifted amid a down year marred by injuries.
Naturally, Karnišovas’ train of thought has many expecting White to be traded for a player, as was the case with Caruso and Ball in years past. But what if the Vice President of Basketball Operations is finally considering zagging? With Chicago sitting at 18–20 on the season, and just 9–9 with White in the lineup, his impact hasn’t been all that drastic. Might it finally be worth sending the 6-foot-5 guard out of town for something different… Draft capital?
Why the Pistons could make sense for Coby White
Easier said than done. Trading a player making even $12 million per season solely for draft capital is nearly impossible. Key word: nearly. However, during a recent episode of The Game Theory Podcast, host Sam Vecenie and Pistons aficionado Bryce Simons floated White as a name to monitor while discussing Detroit’s trade deadline plans, noting the Pistons’ $14.1 million trade exception as a potential mechanism to acquire him.
The duo then highlighted Detroit’s treasure trove of draft assets, especially second-rounders. Vecenie proposed the Pistons’ 2026 first-rounder plus three seconds in exchange for White—a scenario that could realistically tempt the Bulls. On paper, a first-rounder sounds great, but Detroit’s 2026 pick will likely fall to the late first, bordering on a second-rounder given their current first-place standing. Still, a first-rounder and three seconds for White isn’t a terrible haul. After all, four-time All-Star Trae Young was just traded for CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert.
If anything, the Pistons could throw in Paul Reed (trade-eligible January 15) or Marcus Sasser, which would allow them to acquire White without needing to waive anyone.
Regardless of whether a player is included, three draft picks, without taking back any salary, would be an optimal return. Chicago has three options with White: trade him now, re-sign him to a hefty contract, or risk losing him for nothing. Obviously, the first two are preferable, but if the Bulls don’t want to keep him, trading him now is the only viable choice. Considering the underwhelming return for Young in Atlanta and Ja Morant’s reported trade value, draft capital—including a first-rounder—could realistically be the best return for White. The Pistons, in particular, would theoretically covet White and have the means to acquire him using only draft picks.