Report: Bulls’ Coby White Now ‘Off-Limits’ In Trade Talks

According to NBA insider Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports, Chicago Bulls guard Coby White is now “off-limits” in trade talks.

White was considered available at last year’s trade deadline and before the 2023 NBA Draft.

“After he was considered available at last year’s trade deadline and before the 2023 NBA Draft, Coby White is now considered off-limits in Chicago, sources said, after this breakout season,” Fischer wrote. “The Bulls seem all but guaranteed to hold onto Zach LaVine after the All-Star guard underwent season-ending surgery, leaving reserve center Andre Drummond considered to be the most likely Chicago player to be moved by Thursday, sources said. Alex Caruso has indeed drawn interest from various postseason contenders, but the Bulls’ asking price is known to be quite steep, according to league sources.”

The Bulls signed White to a three-year, $36 million contract last offseason. The talented guard is averaging 19.2 points, 4.7 rebounds, 5.1 assists, 0.7 steals and 0.3 blocks this season while shooting 46.3% from the field, 39.4% from beyond the arc and 81.8% from the free-throw line.

White is making $11.1 million this season. The Bulls are 23-27. They are in ninth place in the Eastern Conference standings. If the season ended today, Chicago would be in the play-in tournament for the second consecutive year.

The Bulls drafted White with the seventh overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft out of UNC. The 23-year-old is 10th in the league this season in 3-point field goals.

White has career averages of 13.6 points, 3.6 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 0.6 steals and 0.2 blocks with the Bulls, who have been looking for a star point guard in the post-Derrick Rose era. It appears White could be the new franchise point guard in Chicago.