The Charlotte Hornets have made a tweak to their recent deal with the Chicago Bulls involving guard Coby White. After White’s physical revealed a left calf injury that will sideline him for some time, Charlotte and Chicago agreed to amend the trade terms. Instead of sending three second-round picks to the Bulls, the Hornets will now send two - specifically, second-rounders in 2031 from the Knicks and Nuggets.
White, who’s in the final year of his contract, is set to become an unrestricted free agent this offseason. Despite the injury, the Hornets remain high on what he brings to the table - and it’s easy to see why.
This season, White has emerged as a reliable scoring option, averaging 18.6 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 4.7 assists per game. He’s shooting 43.8% from the field, 34.6% from deep, and 80.5% from the free-throw line - numbers that reflect both efficiency and versatility. He’s not just a catch-and-shoot guy; he’s a threat off the dribble, capable of forcing defenses to adjust on the fly.
Hornets President of Basketball Operations Jeff Peterson didn’t hold back in his praise of White, calling him a player who “plays the game with joy and passion.” Peterson emphasized White’s competitive nature and his ability to impact both ends of the court.
“He’s a dynamic shooter,” Peterson said. “He can really stretch the floor… He makes it very tough for defenders to guard him.”
That ability to bend defenses with his shooting - especially off the bounce - gives Charlotte something they’ve been missing. White’s not just a scorer, either.
Peterson pointed out that he sees White as an underrated passer, someone who can make plays within the flow of the offense. The Hornets aren’t just adding a bucket-getter; they’re adding a well-rounded guard who fits their long-term vision.
And that vision includes retaining talent. By acquiring White’s Bird rights, Charlotte gains the flexibility to re-sign him this summer without being limited by cap space - a strategic move for a team looking to build sustainably.
“Being able to acquire his Bird rights is very, very important for us,” Peterson noted. “Coby fits everything that we want to be about, and we hope that he’s a Hornet for a very long time.”
White, who holds career averages of 15.4 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 3.9 assists per game, has shown he can rise to the occasion - including a career-best 44-point performance against the Orlando Magic last season. That kind of scoring outburst is a reminder of the ceiling he brings when he’s in rhythm.
The Hornets currently sit in 10th place in the Eastern Conference at 24-28, right in the thick of the Play-In mix. Adding a player like White - even if he’s temporarily sidelined - signals a clear intent: this team wants to compete now while also laying the foundation for the future. If White can get healthy and continue the trajectory he’s on, this could be a move that pays dividends well beyond this season.