🚨 CHICAGO BULLS MAKE SURPRISING MOVE: Coby White Traded for Collin Sexton and Ousmane Dieng – Did they get enough in return? 👇

The Chicago Bulls have been busy reshaping their roster, and just when it seemed like their trade activity would slow down, they made yet another deal. This time, Coby White, the longtime Bulls guard, is on the move. After years of speculation, White, along with Mike Conley Jr., has been traded to the Charlotte Hornets in exchange for Collin Sexton, Ousmane Dieng, and three second-round picks.

This trade marks another significant chapter in the Bulls’ ongoing overhaul, but it also raises some questions about the timing and return on investment. Here’s a breakdown of the move and what it means for the Bulls moving forward.

The Trade: What the Bulls Got in Return

The Bulls have finally parted ways with Coby White, a player whose future in Chicago had been uncertain for a while. With Josh Giddey signing a long-term deal, it became clear that White was expendable, especially as the team already had significant financial commitments to their backcourt.

In exchange for White and Mike Conley Jr., the Bulls received Collin Sexton, Ousmane Dieng, and three second-round picks.

• Collin Sexton, the 25-year-old guard, is a solid player who can score and create plays. However, he is on an expiring contract, and while he has shown potential in previous seasons, he hasn’t fully lived up to expectations.

• Ousmane Dieng, a 22-year-old forward and former lottery pick, has some upside but has struggled to fully develop in his first few seasons in the league. He’s still young, but with four seasons under his belt, the potential doesn’t necessarily guarantee success.

• The three second-round picks provide some future flexibility but are unlikely to make a significant impact unless the Bulls can leverage them in another trade.

Coby White’s Declining Value

The trade of Coby White comes after a series of missed opportunities to move him at his peak value. The 25-year-old had a career year in 2024–25, averaging 20.4 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game, along with earning Eastern Conference Player of the Month honors in March. He showed the kind of potential that could have made him an attractive trade piece, especially with an affordable contract that had one more season left.

However, the Bulls made the mistake of waiting too long to trade White, and this ended up diminishing his value. After declining a four-year, $87 million extension, White’s value took a hit. The offseason calf injury that sidelined him for the first couple of months of the season compounded the issue.

When White did return, he wasn’t the same player. While he showed flashes of brilliance early on, he struggled with recurring injuries, which forced him to miss games and even sit out back-to-backs. His scoring dipped significantly in the latter months of the season, falling to 16.9 points per game in December and only improving to 17.8 points per game in January. His shooting efficiency also took a hit, with his field goal percentage dropping to 43.8% and his three-point percentage sitting at 34.6%.

By the time the Bulls traded White, his value had decreased due to injuries, inconsistencies, and his contract situation. As a result, the return the Bulls got for him feels underwhelming. Sexton, while a solid player, doesn’t offer much more than White did, and Dieng, despite his potential, has yet to deliver on the promise that led to his lottery selection.

The Bulls’ Financial and Roster Considerations

The trade also reflects the Bulls’ financial constraints. With several players under long-term contracts and a roster that was starting to feel crowded, particularly in the backcourt, moving White made sense from a salary cap standpoint. By sending out White’s contract and receiving Sexton (on an expiring deal), the Bulls save some cap flexibility for future moves.

However, the Bulls’ roster is still cluttered with guards. After the trade, the Bulls are left with Ayo Dosunmu, Tre Jones, Josh Giddey, Jaden Ivey, Anfernee Simons, and Collin Sexton. Unless they move more of these guards, it could lead to even more questions about playing time and roster composition, especially given the team’s ongoing rebuild.

Additionally, the three second-round picks provide some future options but aren’t likely to move the needle significantly unless they are used in future trades to land a more impactful asset.

Was This Trade a Mistake?

Looking at the trade in hindsight, it’s clear that the Bulls waited too long to trade Coby White, and the return they received doesn’t seem to match the value he once had. Sexton and Dieng are both decent players, but neither is a significant upgrade over White, and the three second-round picks are far from a game-changer.

While moving White was the right decision, especially after committing to Josh Giddey, the Bulls likely lost leverage by waiting too long. The injury struggles White faced this season further diminished his value, and the result was a deal that didn’t do much to improve the team in the short term.

What’s Next for the Bulls?

With the Coby White trade now in the rearview mirror, the Bulls’ front office will likely shift its focus toward other potential roster moves. While the guard logjam has been addressed for the moment, the team still has roster spots to fill and additional moves to make, particularly in the frontcourt.

One of the biggest needs for the Bulls remains a rim-protecting center, which would help solidify their defense and provide more balance to their lineup. Additionally, AK could look to move more guards or secure another key piece for the future.

In the meantime, the Bulls will have to hope that the players they’ve acquired—Sexton, Dieng, and others—can contribute meaningfully as they continue their rebuilding phase.

Final Thoughts on the Coby White Trade

While moving Coby White made sense given the team’s financial situation and roster makeup, the Bulls’ return in this trade doesn’t inspire much confidence. Collin Sexton and Ousmane Dieng are solid, but they don’t drastically change the direction of the team. The Bulls will now look to leverage their remaining assets, including second-round picks, to improve the team further as they continue to reshape their future.

For now, Chicago’s trade deadline activity seems to be more about clearing space and adjusting the roster, but AK and the front office still have work to do in the coming weeks and months. The hope is that the moves they’ve made will set the foundation for a more competitive and cohesive team moving forward.