The NBA trade deadline is fast approaching, and things are starting to get real. A three-team deal has just shaken up the landscape: De’Andre Hunter is headed west to the Sacramento Kings, while the Chicago Bulls bring in veteran forward Dario Šarić and a pair of future second-round picks. But even with that move on the books, all eyes in Chicago remain fixed on one name-Coby White.
White has been the subject of trade buzz for weeks now, and for good reason. He’s shown flashes of being a dynamic scorer and playmaker, and in a league where backcourt versatility is always in demand, that kind of upside doesn't go unnoticed.
But despite the chatter, the Bulls haven’t been able to pull the trigger on a deal. And now we’re starting to see why.
According to league sources, Chicago has been pushing hard for a first-round pick in any package involving White. So far, no takers.
The sticking points? Multiple factors are in play: White’s expiring contract, questions about what his next deal might look like, and nagging calf issues that have limited him at times this season.
That combination has made teams hesitant to part with premium draft capital.
It's a tough spot for the Bulls. They’ve made it clear they’re not interested in selling low, but the market hasn’t exactly been generous. And with the clock ticking toward the deadline, the front office is walking a tightrope-trying to extract value without letting a potential asset walk for nothing in the offseason.
Meanwhile, the on-court product isn’t doing them any favors. The Bulls just took a tough loss on the road against the Miami Heat at Kaseya Center, falling 134-91 in a game that got away from them early.
Miami came out firing, building a 21-point lead in the first quarter and never looking back. Chicago made a push in the second quarter, but the Heat slammed the door shut and ran away with it.
Coby White logged 29 minutes in that one, putting up 16 points along with three assists and four boards. Solid numbers, but not enough to shift the momentum. Nikola Vučević added 12 points in 22 minutes, but the Bulls were outmatched across the board.
With that loss, Chicago drops to 24-26 on the season, clinging to the ninth spot in the Eastern Conference standings. It’s a precarious position-just enough to stay in the Play-In mix, but far from where this team hoped to be. And with a matchup against the Milwaukee Bucks looming at Fiserv Forum, things won’t get any easier.
So here they are: a team caught between trying to compete and trying to retool, with one of their most intriguing trade chips stuck in limbo. The next few days could define the rest of the Bulls’ season-and maybe even their long-term direction. Whether they find a deal for Coby White or not, the pressure is on in Chicago.