The Atlanta Hawks are reportedly in the mix for Chicago Bulls guard Coby White as the NBA trade deadline approaches, but let’s pump the brakes for a minute. While the idea of adding White might be tempting on the surface, especially for a team looking to shore up its backcourt, a deeper look shows this might not be the right move for Atlanta - at least not right now.
According to recent reports, the Hawks are one of four teams showing interest in White, joining the Clippers, Magic, and Timberwolves in the conversation. But unlike those other squads, Atlanta isn't under the same kind of pressure to make a win-now move.
The Clippers are trying to squeeze one last run out of their aging core of James Harden and Kawhi Leonard. The Magic just went all-in by dealing a truckload of draft capital to bring in Desmond Bane, hoping to supercharge their young core of Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner.
And the Timberwolves are hunting for a long-term replacement for Mike Conley as they try to capitalize on the Anthony Edwards window.
The Hawks? They’re in a different lane.
They’re not in desperation mode. They’re not mortgaging the future to chase a playoff seed.
And that’s exactly why pulling the trigger on a Coby White deal right now could be a misstep.
Let’s be clear: White has made real strides in his game. He’s a dynamic scorer with a versatile offensive skill set, and he’s steadily improved his decision-making and defensive presence. He’s also on a very team-friendly deal - roughly $13 million this season - which makes him one of the better value contracts in the league right now.
But here's the catch: he's on an expiring deal.
Any team trading for White is essentially rolling the dice on whether he’ll stick around after the season. That uncertainty is a big reason why teams haven’t been willing to meet Chicago’s asking price - reportedly an unprotected first-round pick. That’s a steep cost for a player who could walk in a few months.
For the Hawks, that’s a tough pill to swallow. They’re not in a position where they need to gamble future assets on a short-term rental, especially not when the long-term fit is still unclear. White’s skill set overlaps with some of what Atlanta already has in the backcourt, and while he could certainly help, it’s not a move that transforms the team overnight.
A more strategic approach? If the Hawks are still interested in White after the season and no team meets Chicago’s deadline demands, they could explore a sign-and-trade in the summer. That would allow Atlanta to negotiate a new deal with White while giving the Bulls some compensation - a win-win that avoids the risk of losing him for nothing.
At the end of the day, GM Onsi Saleh has shown he’s not one to rush into splashy deals just for the headlines. That patience could pay off here. White’s talent is real, but the timing and circumstances just don’t line up for Atlanta to make this move right now.
In a league where timing is everything, the Hawks would be wise to wait this one out.