Why the Chicago Bulls should trade Coby White now

The Chicago Bulls offseason has been dominated by trades they did and didn't make, but they may have one more to consider.

On June 26th, the New York Knicks agreed to a trade that would allow them to acquire Mikal Bridges for an eye-popping haul. The Nets were able to acquire four unprotected 1st-round picks, a protected 2025 1st-round pick and a 2025 2nd-round pick. The monumental trade signaled the Knicks were serious about moving into the upper-echelon of the NBA contenders. Mikal Bridges is a good basketball player. He might even be the difference to helping the Knicks win a title. However, Mikal Bridges has never made an All-NBA team or an All-Star team. That is why the deal for six 1st-round picks caused many that follow the league to turn their heads.

The Bulls are facing their own issues. They have over $80 million in three players (Ball, LaVine and Vucevic) that are proven NBA players, but nobody wants to take on their contracts. This might be why the Knicks took their shot on Bridges. He is versatile 3-and-D player that can play with different types of players. His contract is affordable for the next two years, if not a bargain at 2 years at $48 million and he never misses games.

As for the Nets, they are embracing a full rebuild and traded their most valuable asset for a haul. At the very least, something the Chicago Bulls should be willing to consider.

Should the Chicago Bulls trade Coby White?

Unfortunately for the Bulls, they have very few valuable assets. With the franchise’s uncertain future, the most tradable assets are their draft picks. That is something the Bulls should be trying to accumulate not trade. After that, most players on the roster have a negative value when comparing their skill level with the contract they have. There is one player that does not fit into that category: Coby White.  

White is on a team friendly contract for $12 million a year for the next two seasons. For all the criticism directed towards Arturas Karnisovas, this signing is perhaps his best. White showed tremendous improvement last year. He averaged 19 points per game on 38 percent from the three point line. The fact he can play on the ball and off the ball with his affordable contract make him even more enticing for teams around the league.

White’s cap number would, at least, catch the eye of  the vast majority of NBA teams. For the Bulls, all it would only take is a handful of those teams to value White to create a bidding war. To expect the same package that the Knicks gave for Bridges would not be realistic. If the Bulls received half of that package, it would be an offer worthy of consideration.

Why the Chicago Bulls should cash in on Coby White

The Bulls would acquire significant draft capital to help the rebuild process. Draft capital works two ways; it helps take shots at the next NBA stars or allows you to package them to acquire NBA stars.

White is going to outplay his current contract, which will cause him to become a much more expensive player in two years. A commitment the Bulls will have to decide whether to make or not. His trade value could be at its peak right now.

White has shown significant progress in his time in the league. At 24 years old, he is a young NBA veteran that has not reached his full potential. The question then turns his ceiling. Is White a face of the franchise type player or even a number two option on a title contender? If you answer yes, to the following question, then you probably keep White.

If no, then trading White should be on the table. White has the potential to be a key player on a championship team. Perhaps a 4th option or a spark plug off the bench. That is very valuable for teams trying to take the next step as Bridges showed. The Bulls are not in that position.

Unlike LaVine or Vucevic, many scenarios exist that would be realistic for a Coby White deal and we'll be taking a look at possibilities soon.