Bulls' Coby White could miss start of next season after shoulder surgery?

Fans of the Chicago Bulls received some upsetting news on Thursday. 

"Chicago Bulls guard Coby White underwent successful surgery on his left shoulder by head team physician Dr. Brian Cole of Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush on June 10 to repair damage from an injury sustained this past weekend while engaged in basketball activities away from the team," the club announced in an official release. "He will be re-evaluated in four months." 

Earlier in the day, Shams Charania of The Athletic reported the NBA is reverting to its standard October-June calendar for the 2021-22 season, with the regular season set to get underway on Oct. 19. A four-month timeline would suggest White won't be available whenever the Bulls open the campaign. 

Chicago selected White seventh overall in the 2019 NBA Draft, and he's been a mixed bag over his two seasons that were interrupted and altered by the COVID-19 pandemic. Across 134 regular-season appearances, the 21-year-old has averaged 14.2 points, 3.8 assists, and 3.8 rebounds per game. 

There remain questions if White will be a long-term part of Chicago's ongoing rebuild, but getting him healthy and back into the rotation is now the next step of his development.