As the NBA trade deadline approaches, uncertainty continues to shroud the Chicago Bulls, leaving fans and analysts alike guessing what the front office might do with key veterans and emerging assets, particularly guard Coby White.
No one knows exactly what any NBA team will do before the trade deadline, and the Bulls are especially unpredictable, given a recent history of unconventional roster decisions and moves that often defy logical expectations.
From retaining veterans like Zach LaVine and Nikola Vucevic past their peak trade value, to prioritizing minimal-impact free-agent signings, to making player-for-player swaps instead of leveraging draft capital, Chicago has repeatedly zigged where strategy suggested it should zag.
Still, there is time to correct past missteps, and Vice President of Basketball Operations Artūras Karnišovas remains the lead decision-maker, a figure who has delivered both questionable and effective roster moves in recent seasons.
Karnišovas’ penchant for player-for-player swaps has been criticized in the past, but some recent trades—most notably Alex Caruso for Josh Giddey and Lonzo Ball for Isaac Okoro—have yielded tangible results, softening the blow of his unconventional approach.
The Bulls’ next major decisions will likely revolve around Nikola Vucevic, 35, and impending free agent Coby White, both of whom have been subjects of trade speculation due to age, contract concerns, or team fit.
Vucevic, at this stage of his career, no longer fits into Chicago’s long-term core. Trading him now could net a late second-round pick or minor assets, or he may leave in free agency if the Bulls wait too long.
White, however, presents a more complex scenario. Once considered a cornerstone of Chicago’s future, his value has shifted amid a down year marred by injuries, leaving the team to weigh trading him, re-signing him, or risking losing him for nothing.
Traditionally, Karnišovas has opted to swap players for players, as seen with Caruso and Ball. But with the Bulls sitting at 18–20 and White’s on-court impact more modest than expected, some believe it may finally be time to “zag” instead of “zig”—prioritizing draft capital.
Trading White is challenging, given his $12 million salary and contractual obligations. Yet, NBA teams with flexibility, such as the Detroit Pistons, could offer mechanisms like trade exceptions to facilitate an exchange that benefits both sides.
On a recent episode of The Game Theory Podcast, host Sam Vecenie and Pistons expert Bryce Simons floated White as a potential trade target, noting Detroit’s $14.1 million trade exception and abundance of draft picks, particularly second-round selections.
Vecenie suggested a package including Detroit’s 2026 first-round pick plus three second-rounders could realistically tempt Chicago, offering a haul that resembles other trades in recent NBA history, such as Trae Young being moved for CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert.
While Detroit’s 2026 first-round pick may fall late in the draft, bordering on second-round value due to the team’s strong standing, combining it with multiple second-round selections still provides a meaningful return for the Bulls.
Additionally, Detroit could sweeten the deal by including trade-eligible players such as Paul Reed or Marcus Sasser, allowing the Pistons to acquire White without taking back significant salary or disrupting roster structure.
For Chicago, the trade deadline presents three primary options: move White now, re-sign him to a potentially hefty contract, or risk losing him for nothing in free agency. Trading him currently is arguably the most prudent course of action.
Acquiring draft capital could provide Chicago with flexibility to target young talent or package picks for future moves, a strategy that aligns with the organization’s potential rebuilding trajectory, especially if White’s performance continues to fluctuate.
The Bulls’ front office must also weigh precedent from recent trades across the league. Given Morant’s reported trade value and the underwhelming return for Young in Atlanta, draft picks—especially multiple selections including a first-rounder—represent a practical, realistic return for a player like White.
If executed correctly, trading White could provide Chicago with long-term assets while freeing financial flexibility and allowing the team to strategically reshape its roster, aligning with Karnišovas’ evolving vision and mitigating risk from future free agency decisions.
Ultimately, the Bulls’ next move remains anyone’s guess, but all indicators suggest Coby White will be at the center of trade discussions, with Detroit’s draft capital and financial flexibility providing one of the most viable potential paths forward.
