As the NBA Trade Deadline inches closer, the Chicago Bulls find themselves back in a familiar spotlight - but this time, the buzz around Coby White feels a little different. The 23-year-old guard has moved from the periphery of trade rumors to the center of league-wide attention, and according to NBA insider Marc Stein, rival teams are starting to believe the Bulls are more open than ever to making a move.
That doesn’t mean a deal is imminent - the deadline isn’t until February 5 - but in the NBA, perception often drives action. And right now, the perception is that White could be available.
He’s on the final year of a team-friendly $12.9 million deal and set to become an unrestricted free agent this summer, a contract situation that adds both urgency and complexity to any potential trade. If the Bulls hesitate too long, they risk letting value slip through their fingers.
Meanwhile, White’s play on the court is doing nothing to quiet the noise. He’s been a steady contributor for Chicago, averaging 21.2 points, 5.2 assists, and 3.6 rebounds over his last 11 games.
That’s in just under 30 minutes per night - efficient production, especially given the Bulls’ spacing issues. His three-point shooting has cooled a bit, but the aggression hasn’t.
He’s still attacking, still drawing defensive attention, and still showing the kind of shot creation that teams covet at the deadline.
That’s what makes this situation so intriguing. White isn’t just a young player putting up numbers - he’s doing it in a system that hasn’t always maximized his strengths.
And yet, he’s found ways to impact games, giving front offices around the league plenty to think about. His skill set - quick first step, improved playmaking, and a fearless scoring mentality - translates well to multiple systems, especially for playoff-bound teams looking for an offensive spark.
The Bulls’ broader outlook only adds fuel to the speculation. At 13-15, they sit tenth in the East - technically in the Play-In mix, but far from secure.
They’re riding a three-game win streak after a rough 4-6 stretch, so there’s a little momentum, but not much clarity. Are they building toward something?
Or just treading water?
That uncertainty has opened the door for all kinds of trade scenarios. Earlier this season, one analyst floated a wild idea involving White and Memphis star Ja Morant - a long shot, sure, but a reflection of how unsettled Chicago’s long-term plans appear from the outside looking in.
More recently, the Minnesota Timberwolves were linked to White in trade rumors. Those talks were later downplayed, but the fact that conversations happened at all is telling.
There’s real interest - the question now is timing. Do the Bulls strike while White’s value is climbing?
Or do they hold, hoping to re-sign him this summer and continue building around him?
That’s the crossroads Chicago faces. Coby White’s emergence this season has given them options - and leverage, if they choose to use it.
But the clock is ticking. The market is watching.
And with each passing game, the stakes get a little higher.