The Chicago Bulls have been desperately seeking suitors for Coby White and may have finally found a perfect partner in the Golden State Warriors and Jonathan Kuminga. Kuminga's recent trade request has intensified speculation of a potential trade to the Bulls. If the Bulls can salvage such a return from White’s expiring contract, it’ll be a great victory for their front office.
White for Kuminga makes too much sense
While Coby White definitely has his flaws, he can still pack a punch scoring the ball. And he’s on an incredibly cheap contract for the remainder of this season. That might be enough for a desperate Warriors team. Golden State has already wasted numerous incredible performances from Stephen Curry this season due to a lack of offensive help.
The Warriors are 6th in the NBA this season in defensive rating, but their offense has held them back. They find themselves having to fight for a play-in spot among a loaded Western Conference as Curry enters the twilight of his famed career. Adding another dynamic scorer in White could solve this problem and give them more options when Curry misses time or rests.
Following the recent trade that sent Trae Young to the Wizards, it's clear that the trade value of small guards in the NBA has diminished. Sending out White now for a young player filled with promise would be another cunning move from the Bulls to recoup some value.
Kuminga has become a controversial player during his tenure with the Warriors, but he could definitely benefit from a change of scenery. After an initially strong start to the season, Kuminga has been benched frequently—playing in just 18 of the team's 43 games so far despite no major injuries.
Last season, Kuminga showed his potential in the playoffs against the Timberwolves. After Curry went out with an injury in the Western Conference Semifinals, Kuminga was the team's leading scorer. He displayed his scoring prowess, making tough shots even with a defense fully focused on him. Across the final four games of the series, he averaged 24 points per game while shooting 55 percent from the field and 39 percent from three.
Playing alongside an adept passer like Josh Giddey can also unlock another level of Kuminga's scoring. He's always been an athletic phenom who can finish lobs and attack the rim effectively. The Bulls' ecosystem with Giddey and a stretch big in Nikola Vucevic can give Kuminga the space he's always needed to thrive. At any rate, it's certainly worth the Bulls' time to pursue a 23-year-old who's been held back by his own coaching staff.
If the Bulls don't trade White soon, he will likely walk in the summer for nothing. Getting Kuminga in return now could give Chicago a new spark and potential star for the future.