What is Coby White's ceiling? Depending on when you asked and answered that question in the past five years, the answer could be drastically different. If you're asking that question right now (which I am) the answer might be as optimistic as ever. White has played just six games this year, but has scored over 20 points in each of them, showing a willingness and ability to take on a larger role in this new version of the Bulls.
Now in year seven, White keeps getting better. But with the Bulls' future in flux, and the team searching for cornerstone pieces, is White's ceiling high enough for fans to feel confident about him being that foundational piece?
With Josh Giddey already having a 4-year deal with the team, and White's contract expiring after this season, there's no clear answer. Letting him walk after he's developed exactly how the team wanted him to feels wrong because he's been a success. But does signing him to a long-term deal shoestring the Bulls into a backcourt that we know can be good, but might not be great in a league full of electric backcourts?
Can the Chicago Bulls build around Coby White?
This is the question that might determine the team's next move with White. He'll be an unrestricted free agent next summer — as will Ayo Dosumnu. Both guys will garnet interest on the open market, and it will be fascinating to see how the team handles both of their free agencies.
Both guys are productive, helpful NBA players... But does the Bulls' rebuild get easier if they keep White around, or harder? White exists in the strange middle ground of not quite being a bona fide NBA star, while being much better than a typical role player, and thus (rightfully) demanding a long-term, lucrative contract.
Because of that, he might be better suited signing with a team looking for the final piece of a roster, not one of the first. Him working as a high-level Sixth Man on a contending team is a perfect role for him. Maybe the Bulls can become that team in the next few years. In that case, re-signing White becomes obvious. But that being the plan might not resonate with fans who have watched the past decade of Bulls basketball.
Coby White's development is, of course, a good thing. You always want a team's young players to turn into the guys they have the potential to be. But White's development is stuck in the grey area that will leave the Bulls with a question with no easy answers when the time comes to make a decision on the guard's future.