The Houston Rockets have been holding things together since Fred VanVleet went down with a torn ACL back in September, but the need for reinforcements at point guard is becoming more urgent by the day. Reed Sheppard has stepped up admirably in his second season, offering flashes of brilliance and plenty of promise-but for a team with championship aspirations, depth in the backcourt isn’t a luxury, it’s a necessity.
Enter the Chicago Bulls, who might just be the unexpected trade partner Houston didn’t know it needed. With both Ayo Dosunmu and Coby White reportedly available, the Bulls are dangling two of their most productive guards-both on expiring contracts-and the timing couldn’t be better for a Rockets team looking to make a serious playoff push.
Coby White and Ayo Dosunmu: On the Market, On the Radar
According to reports, Chicago is signaling to rival executives that it’s more open than ever to moving Coby White before the February 5 trade deadline. That doesn’t guarantee a deal, but it’s a clear shift from the past, when the Bulls seemed more inclined to hold onto their young core.
White isn’t alone on the block. Ayo Dosunmu is also drawing league-wide attention, and both guards have landed on trade watch lists as executives keep tabs on who might be available as the deadline approaches. With both players set to hit unrestricted free agency this summer-and likely to command significant raises-it makes sense for Chicago to explore the market now rather than risk losing them for nothing.
For Houston, this is an opportunity. The Rockets have a mix of young talent and draft capital that could appeal to a Bulls front office looking to reset or retool. The question is: which guard fits best in Houston’s system, and what would each bring to the table?
What Coby White Brings: Instant Offense, Proven Production
Let’s start with White. Over the past three seasons, he’s averaged 19.8 points, 4.8 assists, 4.1 rebounds, and nearly three made threes per game, all while shooting a respectable 45% from the field, 36.8% from deep, and 86.2% from the line. That’s not just solid production-that’s starting-caliber output on a nightly basis.
White is a three-level scorer who can get his own shot, create for others, and stretch the floor. For a Houston team that’s struggled with consistency in the backcourt-especially in terms of shot creation-he checks a lot of boxes. And because he’s in the final year of his deal, the Rockets would get the chance to evaluate his fit before deciding whether to commit long-term.
What Ayo Dosunmu Offers: Defensive Versatility and Efficient Offense
If White is the high-octane scorer, Dosunmu is the glue guy with elite defensive chops and an underrated offensive game. He’s not going to light up the scoreboard the way White can, but he might be the better fit for a Rockets team that already has scoring options and needs someone who can defend at the point of attack and complement the roster’s existing strengths.
Defensively, Dosunmu is the real deal. He ranks in the 95th percentile in ball screen navigation, 85th percentile in off-ball chaser defense, and 55th percentile in isolation defense on the perimeter. That’s the kind of defensive versatility that playoff teams covet-especially in a league loaded with dynamic guards.
On the offensive end, Dosunmu is quietly efficient. He’s shooting 49.4% on drives and has knocked down 45.2% of his catch-and-shoot threes this season. He also ranks in the 82nd percentile in one-on-one shotmaking, showing that while he’s not a volume scorer, he can still create when needed.
The Rockets’ Dilemma: Fit vs. Firepower
So, what’s the move? If Houston wants a plug-and-play scorer who can take pressure off its young stars and provide instant offense, White is the guy. If the Rockets are more focused on perimeter defense, secondary playmaking, and fitting seamlessly into a team-first system, Dosunmu might be the better long-term fit.
Either way, the Rockets are in a position of strength. They have the assets to make a move, and now they have a clear opportunity to address a lingering need. Whether it’s White, Dosunmu, or someone else entirely, the market is starting to open up-and Houston’s front office would be wise to pick up the phone.
The VanVleet injury was a gut punch, no doubt. But with the Bulls looking to deal and the trade deadline drawing closer, the Rockets may finally have a path forward.