The Chicago Bulls fell to 17–20 on the season after a 108–93 defeat to the Eastern Conference-leading Detroit Pistons, a team notably shorthanded yet still able to dominate the contest.

Detroit was without key starters Cade Cunningham, Jalen Duren, and Tobias Harris, yet its bench stepped up to compensate, proving the depth and resilience of the Pistons’ roster even without their primary scorers.

Reserve guard Daniss Jenkins orchestrated the offense, dishing out 15 assists despite scoring just two points himself, while Isaiah Stewart was unstoppable, posting 31 points on an incredible 14-of-17 shooting to carry Detroit to victory.

Chicago, meanwhile, was missing Josh Giddey and Coby White, two of its key playmakers, but still managed to have three players reach the 20-point mark, demonstrating that the Bulls have talent capable of stepping up when called upon.

Matas Buzelis and Nikola Vučević each finished with 20 points, showing consistent scoring ability, while super-reserve Ayo Dosunmu led the team with 24 points on 10-of-15 shooting, including 4-of-6 from three-point range, highlighting his efficiency and scoring versatility.

Dosunmu’s performance provides the Bulls with a valuable safety net, suggesting that Chicago has a reliable alternative if they decide to make a move involving Coby White ahead of the trade deadline.

Dosunmu has now scored in double figures for seven consecutive games and is averaging 18.0 points per game in January, signaling that he has found a rhythm and confidence that could elevate his role on the team.

While 18.0 points per game in a month and 14.0 points per game for the season are slightly below White’s scoring output of 19.2 points per game, Dosunmu’s efficiency, shooting percentages, and well-rounded game arguably make him a more complete option.

The Chicago native is shooting 50.2 percent from the field, 43.0 percent from three-point range, and 86.1 percent from the free-throw line, demonstrating elite efficiency that could translate to larger offensive responsibility.

If Dosunmu’s usage rate of 19.2 were increased to match White’s 27.1, it is reasonable to speculate that his production could approach—or even surpass—White’s current contributions, making him a legitimate option to assume primary scoring duties.

Coby White’s limited trade value adds further context to the situation, as lingering calf issues, inconsistent play, and defensive shortcomings have depressed his market worth this season, making Dosunmu’s emergence even more critical to the Bulls’ planning.

White ranks 389th out of 400 in CraftedNBA’s all-purpose defensive metric, highlighting the defensive liabilities that have affected both his trade value and his overall impact on team success.

Recent league moves, such as the Atlanta Hawks trading Trae Young to the Washington Wizards for CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert, underscore the difficulty of acquiring significant return for high-usage scoring guards, even when they are four-time All-Stars.

Against that backdrop, it seems unlikely the Bulls would receive more than salary-matching components and perhaps a draft pick or two if they were to trade White, making Dosunmu’s readiness to step in crucial for roster stability.

This raises a key question: why trade White if the expected return is minimal? At just 25 years old, he remains arguably the Bulls’ best player and still has prime years ahead, making any decision to move him a careful balance of risk and opportunity.

White is on an expiring contract and poised for a substantial raise after signing a three-year, $36 million deal in 2023, leaving the Bulls to weigh financial implications against long-term roster construction goals.

Given recent trades and free-agent movements around the league, including Cam Thomas’ restricted free agency situation, the Bulls might consider moving White now rather than risk losing him for nothing or committing to a hefty contract.

Even if Chicago receives only an aging veteran or minimal assets in return, Dosunmu’s continued development provides confidence that the team will not collapse in scoring output, making such a trade a viable consideration.

Dosunmu’s stellar play highlights his growing importance, as he has demonstrated the ability to fill a scoring guard role with efficiency, three-point shooting, and well-rounded contributions on both ends of the court.

The combination of White’s declining trade value, expiring contract, and Dosunmu’s emergence presents a strategic opportunity for the Bulls, allowing them to manage payroll while maintaining offensive production and depth in the backcourt.

Ultimately, the game against Detroit serves as both a cautionary tale and a demonstration of roster flexibility, emphasizing that Chicago can adapt when star players are unavailable and that Dosunmu could become a cornerstone piece moving forward.

As the Bulls navigate trade considerations and the remainder of the season, Dosunmu’s rise offers reassurance, while White’s situation forces the front office to make a decisive choice about the team’s short-term and long-term direction in the Eastern Conference.