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Coby White's hot streak shouldn't steer Bulls off course

Chicago Bulls guard Coby White Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports

Coby White's emergence, hot streak should not steer Bulls off course

By Reece Johnston | Last updated 12/21/23

The Chicago Bulls began the season 5-14 and looked to be on their way to another lackluster finish. Over their past 10 games, however, the team is 7-3, inching them to 11th in the Eastern Conference.

Chicago's modest rise coincides with the emergence of point guard Coby White and the absence of $43 million-a-year guard Zach LaVine, who has missed the past 10 games due to a right foot injury. These two factors have the Bulls within striking distance of a playoff spot (3.5 games behind the eighth-seeded Pacers) despite their bad start to the season.

White – who was drafted seventh overall in the 2019 NBA Draft – has had a decent start to his career, averaging 13.1 points, 3.4 rebounds and 3.4 assists.

Something seems to have clicked for White over the past 10 games, though, as the 23-year-old averaged 24.6 points, 6.5 rebounds and 6.6 assists. During that span, White shot 48.6% from the field and a blistering 48.4% from three-point range on 9.1 attempts per game.

On the season, White is third in the NBA with 92 made threes, behind Golden State's Stephen Curry (121) and Dallas' Luka Doncic (100).

"It's amazing to be his teammate and see his growth," teammate DeMar DeRozan recently said.

The absence of two-time All-Star LaVine (21 PPG, 4.9 RPG, 3.4 APG), meanwhile, has also helped the Bulls improve.

Bulls win% this season:

.278 — With Zach LaVine
.636 — Without Zach LaVine pic.twitter.com/rhqPjdomB6
— StatMuse (@statmuse) December 21, 2023

LaVine is a good player, but his fit next to DeRozan is clunky. When they play together, the offense stagnates as the two take turns playing isolation basketball.

LaVine has frequently been the subject of trade chatter this season, but with his contract – just over $43 million a year until 2027, per Spotrac – and Chicago's success without him, he may be difficult to trade for value. Chicago should try anyway.

DeRozan (22.4 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 5.4 APG) is a free agent following the season and it remains in the team's best interest to move the six-time All-Star for assets before the trade deadline Feb. 8. The Bulls are better when DeRozan is not on the floor. His plus-minus (-99) is second-to-last on the team.

Like LaVine, DeRozan is a good player with many flaws, most of which seem to show themselves during the postseason. His poor three-point shooting (career 29.4%) and defense may limit his trade value.

Outside of White and possibly 22-year-old Patrick Williams (9.7 PPG, 4.2 RPG, 41.1% three-point shooting) – whom the team drafted fourth overall in 2020 – the Bulls lack foundational young talent.

With the emergence of White, Chicago could make a playoff push, but the Bulls are better off trading veterans for young talent rather than making a quick first-round exit in the postseason.

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