Coby White’s Trade Value Hampered by Defensive Limitations, Bulls Face Tough Choices

The Atlanta Hawks’ decision to move on from superstar point guard Trae Young has become a cautionary tale for the Chicago Bulls as they contemplate the future of Coby White.

Much like Young, White’s offensive talent is undeniable, but his defensive limitations have made teams wary, and that concern could hinder the Bulls’ ability to trade him or receive meaningful assets in return.

Outside of Josh Giddey or Matas Buzelis, who are considered untouchable, White is arguably the Bulls’ most valuable trade asset, capable of creating offense and scoring at a high volume.

Ayo Dosunmu is a strong two-way guard, excelling defensively and providing solid offensive contributions, but White’s ceiling as a scorer and all-around offensive player still makes him the team’s most dynamic option.

However, White’s status as an unrestricted free agent at the end of the 2025-26 season is likely to diminish his trade value, as any acquiring team would need to commit to a contract potentially worth $25 million per year.

This season, White is earning $12.9 million, making him more attractive in the short term, but his defensive shortcomings remain a significant deterrent for potential suitors in a league that increasingly prioritizes two-way play.

While White’s defense is not as glaring as Young’s, the NBA’s current emphasis on defensive versatility and positional accountability ensures that teams will scrutinize his limitations before considering a trade.

Young, at 6-foot-0 and 165 pounds, has never been known for defensive effort or impact, relying primarily on his elite offensive skills to carry the load, a tradeoff teams were unwilling to accommodate indefinitely.

White, standing 6-foot-4 and 195 pounds, possesses more natural size for a combo guard and has shown a willingness to improve defensively, including putting in extra effort on rotations and stepping in to take charges when appropriate.

Despite these improvements, White’s strengths remain firmly on the offensive end, making it challenging for the Bulls to market him as a well-rounded contributor in the mold of other desirable stars around the league.

White’s 2025-26 season has been plagued by injury, limiting him to only 17 of a possible 47 games, as he has dealt with three separate calf issues, affecting his continuity and on-court rhythm.

When healthy, White is averaging 18.4 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 4.6 assists per game, with shooting splits of 44% from the field, 32% from three, and 80% from the free-throw line, showing solid offensive production but not elite efficiency.

Last season was a career year for White, as he proved capable of leading a semi-competitive team offensively. In the final 20 games, the Bulls went 15-5, with White starting 19 of them and averaging 26.1 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 4.1 assists, shooting 51/39/91 in 33.9 minutes per game.

While those numbers are impressive, the league’s top stars now excel on both ends of the floor, making White’s one-dimensional profile a limiting factor for trade discussions.

Players such as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Victor Wembanyama, Anthony Edwards, and Jalen Williams all combine elite offensive production with reliable defense, making them highly coveted in trades and free agency alike.

Even those who are offensive powerhouses, like Donovan Mitchell, Jalen Brunson, Luka Doncic, Steph Curry, and Nikola Jokic, have developed sufficient defensive ability to make them well-rounded stars, further highlighting the gap for White.

White’s offensive talent alone is not enough to offset his defensive deficiencies, and this could limit the Bulls’ ability to secure a favorable return if they attempt to move him before the February 5 trade deadline.

The recent Trae Young trade serves as proof of the consequences, as teams are reluctant to invest in a player whose lack of defensive impact could undermine their roster balance, no matter how skilled he is offensively.

For the Bulls, the challenge is clear: either continue to develop White while accepting his defensive limitations or attempt to trade him while acknowledging that few teams may offer significant assets in return.

The situation is further complicated by White’s contract status, his injury history, and the league-wide emphasis on two-way players who can contribute in multiple facets, making potential suitors highly selective.

If Chicago does decide to trade White, they may need to lower expectations or package him with additional assets to attract a team willing to take on his defensive liabilities and free-agent risk.

Ultimately, White remains a talented scorer and playmaker, but his defensive profile places a ceiling on both his trade value and potential market, a cautionary tale reminiscent of Young’s situation in Atlanta.

The Bulls now face a strategic decision: prioritize development and hope White improves defensively, or attempt a trade before the deadline knowing that the return may not match the player’s perceived offensive talent.