After trading LaMelo Ball, Charlotte secures its backcourt future by rewarding former Bulls' guard Coby White for his late-season heroics and seamless fit within the Hornets' new-look rotation.
This morning, the Charlotte Hornets and Minnesota Timberwolves made a trade that would send Lamelo Ball and Josh Green to Minnesota for Naz Reid, a first-round pick, three first-round pick swaps and three second-round picks. This trade opened the door for former Chicago Bulls' guard Coby White to re-sign with the team on a three-year $74 million contract and fill the void at the point guard position in Charlotte with Ball no longer a member of the Hornets.
The Bulls traded Coby White along with Mike Conley Jr. to the Hornets in exchange for Collin Sexton, Ousmane Dieng and three second-round picks at the 2025-26 NBA Trade Deadline. White had been underperforming in Chicago while dealing with a calf injury and with this being a contract year for him, the Bulls decided to send him to his home state of North Carolina.
Following the trade, the Hornets discovered White's lingering calf issues and allowed him to rest for a little while before taking the floor for the Hornets. That time off seemed to do the trick as White looked like his usual self from the moment he stepped onto the court in Charlotte.
Mar 14, 2026; San Antonio, Texas, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard Coby White (3) shoots in the first half in front of San Antonio Spurs forward Carter Bryant (11) at Frost Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Dunn-Imagn ImagesIn a scaled down role as the sixth man, the Hornets were able to maximize White's production while keeping his minutes down, reducing the wear and tear on his body. In 21 games with the team, he averaged 15.6 points, 3.0 rebounds and 3.0 assists while shooting 46.1% from the field and 39.1% from beyond the arc in only 19 minutes per game. The Hornets went 15-6 to end the regular season with White on the floor igniting their second unit offense.
Charlotte would make the NBA Play-In Tournament where White would once again shine. After years of losing to the Miami Heat in the Play-In with the Chicago Bulls, White finally got over the Heat hurdle, putting up 19 points, five rebounds and three assists while hitting a clutch falling out of bounds three to send the game to overtime.
Although the Hornets would lose their second Play-In game and miss the playoffs, Charlotte saw enough from the former Bulls' guard to resign him and hand him the starting point guard role after trading Lamelo Ball. For the first time since finishing as the runner-up for Most Improved Player behind Tyrese Maxey, White has full control of the point guard position. With a stronger supporting cast around him, he is well-positioned for a successful season as the team's lead playmaker. What began as a deadline deal to move an expiring contract ultimately gave White a fresh start in his home state, and after proving he could thrive in Charlotte's system, he now enters the next chapter of his career as the Hornets' point guard of the future.
