Why a Coby White Trade Could Be the Fix the Mavericks Need - and the Bulls Might Welcome
The Dallas Mavericks came into this season with a giant question mark at point guard. With Kyrie Irving still rehabbing from a torn ACL and no clear timetable for his return, the team has been scrambling to find a steady hand to run the offense. And after trading away Luka Dončić - the engine of their offense and one of the league’s most dynamic creators - the hole at the one spot has become even more glaring.
Dallas hasn’t sat on its hands. They’ve tried a little bit of everything - from Brandon Williams to Ryan Nembhard to D’Angelo Russell - in an effort to patch together a functional starting unit.
Even rookie Cooper Flagg has been thrown into the fire, asked to initiate the offense right out of the gate. While that’s a long-term developmental win, it’s clear Flagg’s not a natural point guard, at least not yet.
So now, the Mavericks are eyeing a solution: Chicago Bulls guard Coby White.
The Trade Proposal
Mavericks receive: Coby White
Bulls receive: Daniel Gafford, 2030 second-round pick (via Philadelphia)
Let’s unpack why this deal makes sense for both sides - and why the timing might be just right.
Why the Mavericks Need Coby White
Dallas built a Finals team around Dončić by stacking the roster with high-level role players - guys like PJ Washington and Daniel Gafford, who brought defensive punch and rim protection. That formula worked, at least to the tune of a trip to the NBA Finals, where they fell to the Celtics in five games.
But now that Dončić is gone and Irving is sidelined, the Mavericks are missing a creator. Not just a guy who can bring the ball up, but someone who can generate offense, collapse defenses, and take pressure off their shooters and bigs. That’s where White comes in.
White isn’t a traditional pass-first point guard - his game leans more toward scoring - but that’s not necessarily a bad thing for this Dallas team. Like Irving, White draws defensive attention with his ability to score at all three levels.
That opens up passing lanes and gives shooters more space. And while he’s not the most polished floor general, he’s far more capable than any of the current options the Mavericks have tried at the position.
The Mavericks are betting that White can be a stabilizing force in the backcourt, helping them stay afloat in the West while Irving works his way back. And if things go well, they’ll have the inside track to re-sign him this offseason.
Why the Bulls Might Listen
Chicago’s in a different kind of transition. They’ve made it clear they want to shake things up, especially with several expiring contracts on the books. According to reports, they’re eager to capitalize on those deals and retool the roster - and White, despite his strong play, could be one of the assets they’re willing to move.
Enter Daniel Gafford.
Yes, Gafford’s had a rough year - he’s been in and out of the lineup with injuries and his production has dipped. But when healthy, he’s a legit rim protector who thrives as a vertical lob threat and defensive anchor. That’s something the Bulls desperately need.
Head coach Billy Donovan has acknowledged that Isaac Okoro is basically their only reliable perimeter defender, and the team lacks a true defensive identity. Adding Gafford would be a step toward fixing that, especially with Nikola Vučević’s future in Chicago uncertain.
Vučević is set to hit free agency and will be 36 at the start of next season. If he’s looking to chase a ring, it likely won’t be in Chicago - and the Bulls will need to think about who’s manning the middle long-term.
Gafford, under contract for roughly $54 million over the next three seasons, gives them cost certainty and a defensive foundation. He also brings some familiarity, having been drafted by the Bulls back in 2019.
Why This Deal Works for Both Sides
For Dallas, this trade is about turning a position of strength - frontcourt depth - into a solution for their biggest weakness. They’ve got enough size and versatility up front with Anthony Davis, Dereck Lively II, PJ Washington, and Cooper Flagg to absorb the loss of Gafford. Lively is a true five, and the others can slide between the four and five depending on matchups.
White may not be a pure point guard, but he gives Dallas something they don’t have right now: a confident scorer who can create his own shot and keep the offense moving. He also gives them a bridge to the future - someone who could continue to contribute even when Irving returns, or potentially take over if Irving’s health remains a concern.
For Chicago, this is about reshaping the roster with an eye toward defense and flexibility. Gafford fits a need, and the second-round pick - while not a game-changer - is a nice sweetener considering Gafford’s injury history this season.
It’s a trade that helps both teams address areas of need without blowing up their core. And in a league where timing is everything, this might be the moment for both the Mavericks and Bulls to make a move that sets them up for the next phase of their respective journeys.