Coby White’s Off-Ball Shift: What It Means for His Fit with Josh Giddey?

Kevin Lu

Oct 2, 2025, 13:00

Kevin Lu

Oct 2, 2025, 13:00

Updated at: Oct 2, 2025, 13:00

Coby White and Josh Giddey are entering their second year together in Chicago’s backcourt. While coach Billy Donovan has yet to unveil his potential starting lineup, it’s a safe bet that both will open games and share the floor for large stretches.

The expectation is straightforward: Giddey will serve as the primary point guard, handling ball distribution, while White shifts more consistently into an off-ball scoring role. White himself said on media day that he worked on off-ball shooting this offseason, aiming to sharpen a skillset that already proved effective last year.

Already a Sharp Shooter Off the Ball

White’s transformation into a reliable perimeter threat is not just an eye test — it’s backed by the numbers. Last season with the Bulls, he nailed a franchise-high 216 threes with a 37% shooting rate from deep, establishing himself as one of the Bulls’ most dependable shooters. According to NBA Statsbase, White hit 38.4% of his catch-and-shoot opportunities, and his accuracy climbed to 38.8% on attempts without a dribble. Even in quick-release situations, with less than two seconds of touch time, he still shot 37.5%.

Mar 22, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Rui Hachimura (28) attempts to block against Chicago Bulls guard Coby White (0) during the second half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Hui-Imagn Images

His offensive profile further emphasizes his growth as an off-ball weapon. A season ago, more than half his attempts (52.1%) came from beyond the arc, with catch-and-shoot plays accounting for 29.5% of his shot frequency — the highest among all his shot types. White’s ability to position himself in space, find comfort zones, and knock down jumpers has elevated his efficiency.

Now, paired with Giddey, who thrives at collapsing defenses and finding teammates, White stands to benefit even more. Giddey’s vision and knack for drawing defenders into the paint could free White for even cleaner looks, or vice versa. With spacing and timing already a strong part of his game, White’s off-ball potential figures to be central in Chicago’s offense this season.

Billy Donovan’s Backcourt Envision

On how the backcourt would be this upcoming season, Donovan had given us a glimpse of his envision on Wednesday training camp. He emphasized that White’s game can’t be limited to simply spotting up on the perimeter.

“Coby is obviously really dynamic with the ball, and we need him with the ball,” Donovan said. White’s offseason focus on off-ball drills, in his view, was more about expanding options than reducing his responsibilities.

“I think he realized there are opportunities for him to make the game easy for himself by running and getting into open windows to create closeouts. He’s got defenders closing to him, rather than defenders on him.”

Apr 6, 2025; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Chicago Bulls head coach Billy Donovan talks to guard Coby White (0) during the second half against the Charlotte Hornets at Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Nell Redmond-Imagn Images

That balance between giving Giddey primary control and allowing White to attack with the ball in his hands will be key. Donovan also clarified that fans shouldn’t expect the two guards to be glued together in every rotation.

“There’s a lot of room in between the game where if they can show and create support to other guys,” Donovan said. “I don’t wanna say that all their minutes are only gonna be together. I think there are opportunities where they won’t always be together.”

Donovan's plan is clear and flexible: he can stagger their minutes, letting each player take command of the backcourt at different times. That, combined with their shared time, gives the Bulls multiple options for offensive organization and playmaking.

Chemistry in the Making

Since Giddey’s arrival before the 2024-25 season, his passing ability has been a constant tool in connecting the Bulls’ offense. White, meanwhile, has embraced his evolution from a high-usage ball-handler into a more versatile guard. Their ability to adapt to one another has been crucial, and Donovan said their chemistry is both “positive” and “helpful” for the team.

Mar 27, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Coby White (0) celebrates his three point basket against the Los Angeles Lakers with guard Josh Giddey (3) during the second half at United Center. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images

As the Bulls move into the 2025–26 campaign, the backcourt of White and Giddey presents an intriguing mix of skillsets. White’s growth as a perimeter scorer and off-ball mover complements Giddey’s size and vision as a facilitator. Together, they provide Donovan with the blueprint for a backcourt that can attack in multiple ways — whether that means Giddey initiating the action, White flying off the ball into space, or both taking turns as lead playmaker.

The formula is still being refined, but what we find out is that White continues his shooting progression and Giddey sharpens his floor game; Chicago may finally have a backcourt capable of setting a stronger offensive identity.

Billy Donovan Bulls Training Camp Press Conference 10-1-25 Chicago Bulls head coach Billy Donovan speaks to the media following the second day of preseason Training Camp on October 1, 2025.Join the BullsRoundtable co...

Coby White’s Off-Ball Shift: What It Means for His Fit with Josh Giddey?