The Chicago Bulls find themselves at a familiar crossroads - one that could define yet another chapter in a run of inconsistent decision-making under executive vice president Artūras Karnišovas. But this time, the spotlight isn’t on a draft pick, a blockbuster trade, or a major free-agent swing. It’s on Coby White - a 25-year-old combo guard who’s quietly played his way into being one of the Bulls’ most important offensive weapons.
White’s name is starting to buzz around the trade market, with teams like the Timberwolves reportedly showing interest and others, like the Houston Rockets, potentially viewing him as a strong fit to bolster a young backcourt. It makes sense.
He’s versatile, he’s scoring at a high clip, and he’s shown growth in areas that once held him back. But here’s the catch: the Bulls have a decision to make, and recent history suggests that decision might not be the right one.
Draft Wins, Development Misses
To be fair, Karnišovas has had a few hits in the NBA Draft. Ayo Dosunmu, selected 38th overall in 2021, has emerged as a valuable two-way contributor - arguably more impactful than White, despite being a second-round pick.
And Matas Buzelis, taken 11th overall in 2024, has the makings of a franchise cornerstone. Those are bright spots in a front office tenure that’s lacked consistency elsewhere.
But the problem hasn’t been identifying talent - it’s been what happens afterward. Karnišovas inherited both White and Wendell Carter Jr. when he took over in 2020.
Less than a year later, Carter Jr. was shipped to Orlando in the deal that brought Nikola Vučević to Chicago. At the time, Carter was just 21 years old and already a starting-caliber big averaging 10.9 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 2.2 assists.
Fast forward to now, and Carter has become a foundational piece for one of the league’s top defenses - while Vučević, now 35, is clearly in decline.
That trade, in hindsight, was a turning point. And it’s one that still looms over the Bulls’ current dilemma with White.
Coby White: Asset or Anchor?
Drafted seventh overall in 2019, White arrived in Chicago with expectations to be a spark plug scorer - and early on, he delivered. He finished fifth in Rookie of the Year voting and showed flashes of being a legitimate offensive engine.
But his development wasn’t linear. Over the next few years, he saw dips in production and questions about his role, particularly on the defensive end.
Still, he’s rebounded in a big way. White has become a steady presence in the Bulls’ offense, capable of creating his own shot, spacing the floor, and playing both on and off the ball.
He’s not a traditional point guard, but in today’s NBA, versatility matters more than labels. And White has shown he can adapt.
Now, with unrestricted free agency looming after the season, the Bulls have to decide: is White worth a long-term investment? He’s expected to command a deal in the ballpark of $25 million annually - similar to what Josh Giddey secured last offseason. That’s a significant chunk of cap space, especially for a team that already has questions about fit and direction.
There’s also the matter of defense. Pairing White with another backcourt player who struggles defensively - like Giddey, should the Bulls pursue that path - raises concerns about how sustainable that duo would be in high-leverage situations. Can you build a playoff-caliber team around two guards who need to be hidden on that end of the floor?
Trade or Trust?
That’s the fork in the road. Do the Bulls lock in White with a long-term deal and hope his offensive growth continues to outweigh his defensive limitations? Or do they move him now, while his value is high, and try to recoup assets that align better with a potential retooling?
Teams around the league are watching - but they’re just as confused as anyone else. According to reports, rival executives can’t get a clear read on what Chicago plans to do at the trade deadline. And that uncertainty has become a hallmark of this front office’s tenure.
The Bulls have shown they can identify talent. But when it comes to building around that talent - making the right moves at the right time - the track record is murky at best.
The decision on White won’t just impact this season. It could shape the next few years of Bulls basketball.
And if history is any indication, fans have every reason to be both hopeful and wary. Because in Chicago, the draft might bring promise - but what comes next has too often brought regret.