The Houston Rockets have made no secret about what they need: a true on-ball facilitator. It’s been the quiet chorus around the team all season, and with the trade deadline fast approaching, the front office-led by Rafael Stone-is actively working the phones to address that gap.
One name that’s surfaced in recent discussions? Coby White.
The Rockets have reportedly engaged in trade talks with the Chicago Bulls for the 23-year-old point guard, who’s in the final months of his contract. White turned down an $87 million extension last offseason, signaling he’s likely headed to unrestricted free agency this summer. That’s left Chicago in a familiar position: either move him now or risk losing him for nothing in return.
But the Bulls aren’t just looking to offload White-they’re aiming to get younger in the process. Specifically, they’re seeking a rising talent who fits the timeline of their emerging core, namely Josh Giddey and Matas Buzelis.
Both Giddey and Buzelis are in their early 20s and are seen as foundational pieces for Chicago’s rebuild. So it makes sense they’d want any return for White to align with that developmental window.
That’s where things get tricky for Houston.
According to reports from Chicago, the Bulls have floated names like Tari Eason and Reed Sheppard during talks with the Rockets. But that’s a non-starter for Houston. Eason and Sheppard are too valuable-both in terms of their current contributions and future upside-for the Rockets to consider moving them in a deal for a player who could walk in a few months.
And that’s the catch with White. While he’s shown flashes of being a reliable lead guard and would fill a real need for Houston, he’s also on an expiring deal. Trading away a key young piece for a potential rental just doesn’t make sense, especially for a Rockets team that’s still building toward sustained contention.
There’s also the matter of salary matching. White is making $12.8 million this season, and if the Bulls are dead set on getting a young player in return, the math gets complicated.
Houston’s young prospects-like Eason and Sheppard-don’t make enough to match White’s salary on their own. That means the Rockets would likely need to include a veteran contract to make the numbers work.
Two names that fit the bill: Dorian Finney-Smith ($12.7 million) and Steven Adams ($14.1 million). Either could make the trade math work, but they don’t fit Chicago’s reported desire for a young, ascending player. Finney-Smith brings defensive versatility and playoff experience, and Adams is a proven interior presence, but neither moves the needle for a rebuilding Bulls squad focused on the future.
Even if Houston and Chicago can find common ground on trade compensation, there’s a bigger question looming: Can the Rockets afford to keep White long-term?
Houston has some big financial decisions coming up. Tari Eason is due for a new deal soon, and Amen Thompson’s extension won’t be far behind-and that one could get expensive. Adding White to the mix would mean another significant contract on the books, and unless the Rockets are confident they can re-sign him at a number that fits their cap structure, it might not be worth the risk.
Bottom line: the Rockets are right to explore options at point guard. White has the tools to help now and potentially grow with their young core.
But any move has to make sense both short- and long-term. Giving up a critical piece of the future-or overcommitting to a player who could walk this summer-just doesn’t align with where Houston is headed.