Report: Timberwolves express interest in Bulls’ Coby White

The Timberwolves have explored the possibility of trading for Bulls guard Coby White, according to Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times.

Minnesota has been searching for a starting-caliber floor leader, and White has emerged as one of the players on their radar.

Cowley reports that “time is of the essence” as the Bulls weigh how to proceed. A source told the Sun-Times that Minnesota isn’t interested in waiting until the February trade deadline, preferring to address its primary ball-handling issues as soon as possible.

White, who is on the final season of a three-year, $36 million contract, is off to the best start of his career. He’s averaging 22.1 points, 5.4 assists and shooting 43.1 percent from the field. The former North Carolina standout turns 26 in February and remains fully trade-eligible with no restrictions in his contract.

Minnesota sits at 15-9, good for sixth in the West after back-to-back trips to the conference finals. Chicago, meanwhile, is 9-14 and outside the playoff picture for the third straight season.