Will the Windy City ever be drama-free? It sounds like the Chicago Bulls could have another Josh Giddey-type contract battle if they decide Coby White is part of their future.
White, on an expiring $12 million a season contract, is eligible for a four-year $89 million extension until the end of October. However, it appears that the 25-year-old will be heading to free agency next summer. According to Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report, White will be an unrestricted free agent next offseason and wants Giddey-type money.
“To my understanding, Coby White is going to be eligible for more money as a free agent next year,” Fisher said yesterday via YouTube. “And the talk around the league has already been that Coby White is going to be seeking even north of the $30 million average annual value that Josh Giddey has been given.”
Giddey was a restricted free agent for over two months before he and the Bulls reached a multi-year agreement. Giddey ultimately signed a four-year, $100 million contract with the Bulls on September 9. The 23-year-old Australian will make $22.3 million this year, with a yearly increase to over $27 million in the final year of his deal.
Another Bull Wants A Mega Contract, Potential In-season and Offseason Landing Spots
White has been fantastic the past two years and has developed into one of the Bulls’ core players. White produced a career season last year, averaging 20.4 points, 4.5 assists, and 3.7 rebounds with shooting splits of 45.3/37/90. He scored at least 20 points 42 times, topping the 30-point mark on nine occassions while surpassing the 40-point barrier once, and produced two double-doubles.
But the question is, is White a $30 million a year player? Only time will tell. But if White has another big year this season, he will undoubtedly be. The next question is whether Chicago is interested in or can afford him?
Ashish Mathur of the Dallas Hoops Journal reported in mid-August that several teams have inquired about White this summer. However, Mathur added that the Bulls have rejected every overture.
“I know multiple teams tried to trade for Coby this summer,” an NBA executive told Mathur. “There was some chatter that he was almost traded on draft night. The Bulls love him, though. He’s not going anywhere. They have shot down trade inquiries for him.”
Chicago selected White with the No. 7 pick in 201. The Bulls have had one winning season and made one postseason appearance since drafting him. The Bulls have a .500 record over the last four seasons, making at least the Eastern Conference Play-In in each of the previous three years and securing one playoff appearance in the 2021-22 season. Furthermore, they are nine games below .500 with White on the court over the last two seasons and 119-125 in games the North Carolina product has started in his career.
Chicago Bulls
Chicago is projected to have about $80 million of cap space available next year. The Bulls are also slated to have eight players under contract, as Nikola Vucevic, Zach Collins, Ayo Dosunmu, and Kevin Huerter have contracts that run out at the end of the season. Vucevic, Collins, and Huerter are all trade-in-season trade candidates. So, it would be surprising if the Bulls don’t add salary for next year.
Chicago also holds White’s Bird Rights, meaning the Bulls can offer him a contract worth more than any other team. However, unlike with Giddey, the Bulls won’t have the rights of first refusal. So, if White decides he wants to play elsewhere, the Bulls could lose him for nothing.
“There has been some speculation that an inability to extend White ahead of free agency might make the Bulls more inclined to consider trading him rather than risk losing him for nothing next summer, and Chicago may still consider that route before February’s trade deadline, “Luke Adams of Hooprumors said. “But for now, it sounds like the team is confident about its ability to re-sign White next July.”
Who Could Trade For Coby White This Season?
Brooklyn Nets
Brooklyn is expected to have considerable cap space this season, even after setting its 15-man roster. The Nets are expected to use the cap space to add pieces to their roster during the season. They also project to have over $41 million in cap space next season.
While the Nets would need a guarantee from White that he will re-sign with the team, unless they execute a sign-and-trade deal to acquire him from Chicago. The Nets have a treasure chest of draft picks, including Day’Ron Sharpe, Ziaire Thomas, Noah Clowney, Cam Thomas, and Haywood Highsmith, plus their five 2025 first-round selections, which may intrigue Chicago.
Philadelphia 76ers
Health is a significant concern for the 76ers. Therefore, the Sixers may undergo a nearly complete rebuild, focusing on Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe.
However, if the Sixers’ 2025-26 season goes well, they could decide to make a play for White. A trade would likely cost the Sixers Quentin Grimes and either Jared McCain or Edgecombe.
Golden State Warriors
Golden State believes that as long as Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler, and Draymond Green are still playing, they have a chance to contend. However, the Warriors’ roster has several flaws, although they reportedly have several veterans lined up once an unhappy Jonathan Kuminga signs. Speaking of Kuminga, the Bulls have been enamored with the 22-year-old for a while, and perhaps the Warriors would be willing to send him, Moses Moody, and at least their 2026 first-round pick. Maybe a larger trade deadline deal could also include either Vucevic or Collins heading to the Warriors in exchange for an additional asset. The Warriors and Bulls have plenty of room to work a trade, as Chicago isn’t hard-capped until the first round of the draft.
Of course, White would then become the face of the franchise if Curry retires, which the Warriors could do worse.
Los Angeles Lakers
The Lakers’ roster is set for this year, though they have plenty of cap room next summer. The wildcard will be what the Lakers ultimately think of Austin Reeves, who has a player option for next season and is reportedly seeking a substantial pay increase. So, would a Reeves for White one-for-one trade work, though the Lakers would likely have to send their 2026 first-round selection to Chicago as well?
Phoenix Suns
If Phoenix isn’t a contender this year, a trade could potentially work between the Suns and Bulls. Would the Bulls be interested in Jalen Green, Khaman Malauch, or Mark Williams if he demonstrates he is healthy? Green isn’t the shooter; White is, but he is still only 23 and can definitely score. Williams or Malauch will fill the void at center for the Bulls.
Green is under contract for two more seasons, worth $72 million, with the 2027-28 season being a player option. For a trade to be effective, the Bulls may need to absorb more salary. Draft picks may also have to be swapped.
Sacramento Kings
Could Sacramento and Chicago hook up for another blockbuster? The Bulls sent Zach LaVine to Sacramento as part of a larger three-team deal that involved De’Aaron Fox going to San Antonio. The two teams also worked out a deal in the summer of 2024 that involved DeMar DeRozan going to Sacramento.
Another interesting trade is possible; the Kings have been looking to unload Malik Monk this offseason, but have found no takers. Monk, who has three years and $39 million left on his deal, is an outstanding scorer and one of the best sixth men in the league. While Monk certainly has flaws in his game, he is only 27 and could be part of the answer if White decides not to re-sign with Chicago. The Kings would need to add other assets, possibly including Devin Carter and/or draft picks.
Detroit Pistons
Detroit is another long-shot possibility, though the Pistons could have plenty of cap room next season, depending on whether they decide to extend Jalen Duren and Jaden Ivey — both likely to receive extensions. Could the Pistons include a package of Ivey, Isaiah Stewart, and at least their 2026 first-round pick for White and either Vucevic or Collins?
Indiana Pacers
Indiana is somewhat intriguing for White, but unless the Pacers are out of contention, a sign-and-trade at the end of the season is probably the most realistic way for White to end up in Indianapolis. The Pacers are projected to have 13 players under contract for next season and $20 million in salary cap space.
However, an interesting potential deal for the Bulls could be receiving Obi Toppin, Aaron Nesmith, and either Jarace Walker or Isaiah Jackson in exchange for White.
2026 Offseason
Before taking a look at where White could end up as a free agent, there are a couple of other potential long-shot blockbusters. Depending on how Ja Morant and Memphis, as well as Trae Young and Atlanta, perform during their seasons, it is possible that those two teams may be interested in swapping guards with the Bulls. Don’t expect either trade to come to fruition, but if the Grizzlies and Hawks’ seasons completely go sideways, you never know.
Besides the Lakers, Pistons, Bulls, and Nets, there are several other teams projected to have plenty of cap space next offseason. Charlotte, Los Angeles Clippers, Utah, Portland, and Washington are the other teams with cap space next summer.
Photo Credit: © David Banks, Imagn Images
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