To trade Coby White, or not? That's the question the Chicago Bulls are wondering as the Feb. 5 deadline approaches. He's on an expiring contract and will be an unrestricted free agent this summer, meaning, of course, he could walk from the Bulls and sign with a new team, leaving Chicago with nothing in return.
A few teams have reportedly shown interest in trading for White, including the Timberwolves, as they need another ballhandler. If a trade were to happen, it'd probably be to Minnesota, but that by no means means the team is pushing to acquire him. Being interested and engaging in serious talks are two different things.
The biggest con for White is his contract situation: interested teams not only need some reassurance that he'll re-sign with them, but also need to be ready to pay up. For the Bulls, his contract means they wouldn't get the kind of return they want for him, prompting them to keep him for the rest of the season, but that wouldn't be a solution, either.
This is the current dilemma Chicago finds itself in.
Will the Bulls trade Coby White before the Feb. 5 deadline?
This wouldn't be as big a question if Chicago were in a position to make a playoff run, which it would need White for, but that's not the case. The Bulls currently sit No. 9 in the East with a 23-22 record, just one game back of the No. 6 spot, but that doesn't change their situation. It's yet another mediocre season.
In other words, trading White, who is averaging 18.8 points and 4.7 assists per game in 24 contests on 45.1/36.3/79.7 shooting splits, wouldn't break the Bulls' season, although he and Josh Giddey are tied as the team's leading scorers. Chicago would like to get something of value for him, but, again, his contract is a roadblock.
Knowing the Bulls, they'll probably keep White past the deadline, hoping to make some sort of noise in the postseason. That wouldn't solve their problem; it'd just delay it, as his future will be in his hands during the offseason.
The best thing Chicago could do is try to get something in return for him now, as that's better than nothing, but there hasn't been much traction on a trade. Maybe that will change as the deadline draws nearer, but for now, fans know what to expect from this front office.