The Chicago Bulls made waves Tuesday afternoon with a pair of trades that could quietly signal something bigger: Coby White might be on the move. And if that’s the case, the Atlanta Hawks should be paying close attention.
White isn’t the flashiest name on the market-this trade deadline has featured whispers of stars like Giannis Antetokounmpo and ideal fits like Walker Kessler-but White checks a lot of boxes for what the Hawks need right now. He’s on an expiring $12.9 million contract, which makes him both affordable and flexible, two words that are music to Atlanta’s front office, particularly to general manager Onsi Saleh.
Why Coby White Fits Atlanta’s Game Plan
Saleh has made his strategy clear: he’s not swinging for the fences, but he’s not standing still either. His recent move to acquire Vit Krejci was a signal-he’s looking to build cap flexibility for next season while also stacking future assets. White fits that mold perfectly.
The Hawks are in a bit of a holding pattern, with their long-term direction hinging on the outcome of the 2026 NBA Draft. Depending on who they land-say, a dynamic scoring guard like Darryn Peterson or a versatile forward like Cam Boozer-their roster needs could shift dramatically.
That’s where White’s value really shines. He’s a plug-and-play guard who can help now but doesn’t lock the team into a long-term commitment unless they want one.
If the Hawks draft a perimeter-heavy player like Peterson, White could become expendable. But if they land someone like Boozer, White’s ability to create and score from the backcourt could be exactly what they need to balance the offense. And because he’s on an expiring deal, the Hawks would have the flexibility to evaluate the fit before making any long-term decisions.
The Cap Angle: Flexibility with Upside
Here’s where things get interesting. Trading for White would technically reduce Atlanta’s immediate cap space, but it opens up a valuable tool: Bird rights. If White meshes well with Jalen Johnson and the incoming rookie, the Hawks could go over the cap to re-sign him using those rights-something they can’t do with a free agent off the street.
That kind of cap maneuvering would require additional moves-letting someone like Kristaps Porzingis walk, for example-but it gives Saleh options. And in today’s NBA, options are everything.
If White doesn’t fit? No harm, no foul.
Let him walk in free agency and move on.
Low Cost, High Upside
Perhaps the most compelling reason for Atlanta to make this move is the price tag. White’s expiring contract limits his trade value-no one’s giving up a first-round pick for a player who might bolt in three months.
But two second-round picks? That’s a different story.
And wouldn’t you know it-that’s exactly what the Hawks just got in return for Krejci.
If you look at it as a two-step process-Krejci out, White in-it starts to look like a savvy bit of roster management. Even if White ends up being a three-month rental, the upside of retaining him with Bird rights is likely more valuable than two second-rounders.
Reading the Tea Leaves in Chicago
There’s no official word that White is on the market, but the Bulls just brought in Anfernee Simons and Jaden Ivey-two guards who overlap with White’s skill set. That kind of roster shake-up usually comes with a ripple effect, and White could be the odd man out.
So now the question becomes: Is the price right for Atlanta? If it is, this could be one of those under-the-radar moves that pays off in a big way-either as a short-term boost or a long-term building block.
In a trade deadline filled with big names and bold rumors, sometimes the smartest move is the quiet one that fits your plan. Coby White might not be the headline, but for the Hawks, he could be the right piece at the right time.