The Chicago Bulls are a mess, but that's not a bad thing. After years of aiming for a much-maligned spot in the play-in tournament, the Bulls have finally pressed the restart button. Chicago traded away its best player earlier this month and has prioritized youth.
Matas Buzelis, the 11th overall pick in last year's draft, has shined in an expanded role. The 20-year-old averages 13.3 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks per game over Chicago's last 10 games. Buzelis is producing points with efficiency. He's shooting 55.6 percent from the floor and 39.1 percent from three over the same period.
Moreover, 22-year-old Josh Giddey is coming to his own after a lackluster third season in Oklahoma City. Giddey's season averages are similar to his final season suiting up for the Thunder. However, his monthlong performance is downright impressive. In February, Giddey averages 19.1 points, 7.1 rebounds, 5.0 assists, and 2.6 three-pointers per game. The Aussie is converting almost half of his 5.4 three-point attempts per game. Giddey is shooting 48.8 percent from beyond the arc through eight appearances in February.
Coby White has seen a decline in scoring and efficiency since LaVine was traded
While Buzelis and Giddey are flourishing in more pronounced roles, one Bulls' holdover has struggled since LaVine's departure. Chicago's second-leading scorer, Coby White, has averaged 17.5 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 4.5 assists since LaVine first exited the Bulls' lineup on January 29.
White's counting stats aren't too far off his season-long averages. The 6-foot-5 guard averages 18.1 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 4.6 assists this season. What's most concerning is his dip in efficiency, 39.6 percent from the floor since LaVine was traded, and his failure to assume a larger scoring burden.
White has shot above 50 percent in just two of his last 10 games. He's shot below 30 percent in three of his previous 10. Furthermore, the sixth-year guard has notched scoring totals of 5, 7, and 11 in back-to-back-to-back outings. White converted 2-of-13, 2-of-14, and 5-of-11 field goals in those three contests.
Sure, there was no forthright promotion for White to become Chicago's number option post-LaVine. But, if White's last 10 appearances are an audition for the alpha-scorer, he likely wouldn't be cast for the role. It's becoming apparent that the former North Carolina Tar Heel is best suited as a secondary scorer. He's a three-level scorer, yet one that's not the most efficient.
White ranks in the 23rd percentile in field goal percentage within three feet of the basket, 50th percentile from three to ten feet, 55th percentile from 10 to 16 feet, 19th percentile from 16 feet to three-point range, and 63rd percentile on three-pointers. White has proven to be a solid three-point marksman, albeit a below-average finisher around the rim.
With more driving opportunities sans LaVine, White's rim field goal percentage has decreased. Although he is getting to the rim more often—13.9 drives compared to 11.8 drives with LaVine in tow— his field goal percentage on drives has decreased from 50.2 to 39.6 percent. White averaged more points and held a higher assist percentage when LaVine still suited up for the Bulls.
Aside from a diminishing field goal percentage around the paint, White's shooting percentages have dropped considering the more amount of dribbles he's taken. With LaVine on the roster, White converted 46.4 percent of his field goals using 3-to-6 dribbles. Without LaVine, White's field goal percentage has seen a 10 percentage point decrease using the same amount of dribbles.
There's still time for White to prove he's capable of taking over the scoring burden LaVine left upon being traded. Chicago has 25 games remaining. Nonetheless, early results have been less than stellar—forcing us to believe Giddey may be the go-to guy in the backcourt moving forward.