The Chicago Bulls don't need to trade Coby White. Instead, they should negotiate a contract extension with him in the offseason and keep him around for a few more years. White has steadily improved during his Bulls' tenure, and has loved being in Chicago every step of the way. As long as both sides are negotiating fairly, that's the best route forward to me.
If the Bulls don't share that view and shop White at the deadline, the Minnesota Timberwolves seem like the most obvious landing spot. Desperate for guard help, it's no secret that the Timberwolves are scouring the trade block for some backcourt depth as Mike Conley ages out of production and Rob Dillingham still hasn't turned into the player the Wolves hope he can be.
Recently, Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints connected White and the Wolves, and I presume that connection will only gather more traction as we get closer to the deadline. Rumors will fly, some real and some not, but I think the Wolves pursuing White has some validity. It just makes too much sense.
It's not often that teams in contention like the Wolves are so needy at point guard (and the Wolves have made their current sitatuion work, to their credit) so it will be fascinating to see what they're willing to part with in a White deal, even with Coby on an expiring. Can we get a little Jaylen Clark action?
Coby White would help the Wolves massively — now or later
No matter what the Bulls do at the trade deadline — whether they keep White or deal him — I think the Timberwolves making a play at White in the offseason makes a load of sense.
Obviously, contract negotiations are easier when a guy is already on your team (and White would help the Wolves immediately in their quest for another deep playoff run) so I think they'll make a real run at the Bulls guard over the next month, but if they don't get him now, I wouldn't count them out as a longterm suitor for Coby.
They won't be the only team interested in his services, of course. White's time in Chicago has been a tad unsteady, but in recent years, he's turned into a near-20 point per game scorer, a high-level shooter, and he's still just 25 years old. Despite what folks will tell you, those guys still get paid.