The Chicago Bulls have been one of the more active teams ahead of the NBA trade deadline, reshaping their backcourt with a flurry of moves that signal a clear shift in direction. In the last few days alone, they’ve brought in Mike Conley via a three-team deal, acquired Jaden Ivey in a multi-team trade, and added Anfernee Simons from the Celtics. That’s a lot of guards in a short amount of time - and it doesn’t take much reading between the lines to see what’s coming next: Coby White is likely on his way out.
White’s future in Chicago has been up in the air for a while, and the addition of Ivey only pushes that uncertainty into inevitability. With White on an expiring contract and reportedly seeking a payday in the $30 million range this summer, the Bulls are faced with a simple question: is he part of their long-term plan? The answer, based on their recent moves, seems to be a resounding no.
Now, that doesn’t mean White’s a bad player - far from it. But his trade value is complicated.
That contract situation is a sticking point for teams who might be hesitant to commit big money to a player still working to find consistency. It’s not that he can’t help a team, it’s just that his market is limited.
And that’s why the Bulls are motivated to move him now, even if the return isn’t eye-popping.
What’s clear is that Ayo Dosunmu is the guard Chicago is more committed to keeping. Dosunmu’s fit alongside Josh Giddey - who the Bulls re-signed last summer on a four-year, $100 million deal - makes more sense stylistically and strategically.
Dosunmu brings a defensive edge and a complementary skill set that meshes well with Giddey’s playmaking. White, on the other hand, is more of a scorer who needs the ball in his hands - and with Ivey now in the mix, that role is getting crowded.
Speaking of Ivey, he’s an intriguing piece for the Bulls moving forward. Still just 23, he’s coming off a tough stretch in Detroit where he struggled to regain form after arthroscopic knee surgery in October.
He didn’t make his season debut until late November and found himself buried in the Pistons’ rotation behind Duncan Robinson and rookie Daniss Jenkins. In 33 games this season, Ivey averaged 8.2 points in 16.8 minutes, starting just twice.
But those numbers don’t tell the whole story. Before his injury last season, Ivey was showing real signs of growth - averaging 17.6 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 4.0 assists over a 30-game stretch while shooting an efficient 46% from the field and nearly 41% from deep. That version of Ivey is the one the Bulls are betting on, and they’ve positioned themselves to give him a real opportunity to reclaim that trajectory.
It’s also worth noting that Ivey will be a restricted free agent this summer, giving Chicago more control over his future than they have with White. That flexibility matters. The Bulls can either sign him to a long-term deal or extend a qualifying offer that would keep him under team control through 2027.
With Ivey needing minutes to develop and carve out his role in Chicago, White becomes the odd man out. And with the trade deadline looming, it makes sense for the Bulls to move him now, rather than let his contract expire or risk losing him for nothing. Even if the return isn’t a blockbuster, it’s about clearing the path for the next phase of the rebuild.
The Bulls may not be done dealing, but one thing feels certain: Coby White’s days in Chicago are numbered.