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    Gavin Dorsey
    Gavin Dorsey
    Sep 25, 2025, 00:04
    Updated at: Sep 25, 2025, 00:04

    Coby White's development over the last several years has been one of the most encouraging signs from a Bulls team that has been largely stuck in purgatory. Since being drafted with the No. 7 overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, the combo guard has steadily increased his scoring and efficiency, becoming one of the most reliable players in Chicago.

    However, it could soon be time to move on from No. 0. White is a fan favorite because of his home-grown improvement, but a significant trade offer for him could be hard for the Bulls to decline.

    White turns 26 years old in February and is entering the final season of a three-year, $36 million contract that he signed in 2023. He has more than outplayed his deal, jumping from 9.7 to 19.1 points per game the following season before averaging a career-high 20.4 points on 55% true shooting in 2024-25.

    The Bulls certainly have enough cap space to keep White long-term, even after extending Josh Giddey for $100 million earlier this month. But if the team struggles to start the year and believes White will leave in unrestricted free agency next June, it may be in Artūras Karnišovas' best interest to get something in return for the talented guard while he still can.

    Apr 9, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Miami Heat forward Andrew Wiggins (22) defends Chicago Bulls guard Coby White (0) during the first quarter at United Center. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images

    Houston comes to mind as a potential trade suitor after starting point guard Fred VanVleet tore his ACL on Monday. With VanVleet out for the season, the Rockets could use a primary ball-handler like White to dish passes out to Kevin Durant, Alperen Şengün and Amen Thompson, among others.

    The Rockets' point guard depth behind VanVleet is barren, which should give the Bulls some leverage in a potential deal. A White trade would signal Chicago's intention to finally rebuild, but much of Houston's youth would certainly be off-limits. Thompson is already one of the best defenders in the league, while Jabari Smith Jr. recently signed a five-year, $122 million extension this summer.

    That leaves two players as the most likely candidates for the Bulls to target: point guard Reed Sheppard and forward Tari Eason. A direct 2-for-1 swap keeps Chicago under the tax and Houston under the first apron.

    Sheppard, 21, was the No. 3 overall pick last year after a strong freshman year at Kentucky. The Rockets couldn't quite find a use for the 6-foot-2 guard in his rookie season, as he played just 12.6 minutes per game in 52 appearances. Although he averaged just 4.4 points on 35.1% shooting and 33.8% from deep, Sheppard still has the makings of the player who shot 52.1% from three with the Wildcats.

    The crown jewel of the trade, though, would be Eason. The 24-year-old forward has been a defensive menace during his three years in the league, hounding opponents for 1.7 steals and nearly a block per game last season. Lineups containing Eason were the second and third-most efficient groups that Houston ran in terms of point differential, and he is slowly coming into his own on the offensive end as well. Eason averaged a career-high 12 points per game on 47.8% shooting in 2024-25, also hauling in 6.4 rebounds.

    Chicago's leverage is largely based on the fact that Houston needs White and has few other ball-handling options on its roster. Yet, the Bulls' recent trade history raises doubts that they could also secure a pick from the Rockets. The front office failed to net a draft pick from the Alex Caruso deal and received significantly less in the Zach LaVine trade than it could've if it had traded him earlier. Additionally, the Rockets would be very reluctant to part with Eason, who is already a key piece of Houston's defensive identity, and losing a draft pick might be a deal-breaker.

    It would be difficult for the Bulls to part with a young, home-grown star like White. But if the White-Giddey backcourt does not produce results early and the team cannot get an extension signed, Chicago may have to make the tough decision.

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