Chicago Bulls guard Coby White. Jim Rassol-Imagn Images

Hornets swing trade for sixth man, acquire Coby White from Bulls

By Andrew Wright | Last updated Feb 4, 2026 3:40 PM ET

The red-hot Charlotte Hornets have become active prior to Thursday's NBA trade deadline.

Charlotte adds bench scoring with Coby White

In what could very well be considered a trade from out of left field, Charlotte struck a deal with the Chicago Bulls to acquire sharpshooting guard Coby White and veteran point guard Mike Conley.

In return, the Bulls will receive veteran guard Collin Sexton, young forward Ousmane Dieng and three second round picks. The trade from the Chicago to Charlotte will allow White to return to his home state of North Carolina.

Scoring guard Coby White joins the hot Charlotte Hornets at the trade deadline: pic.twitter.com/5GrbhhlK1O
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 4, 2026

Coby White will add more shooting and scoring to Hornets bench

So far this season, White is averaging 18.6 points per game and shooting 34.6 percent from three-point range. While that three-point percentage is a bit lower than Sexton's 39.3 percent, Sexton is averaging 14.2 points per game this season.

White will instantly become the No. 1 option off Charlotte's bench and be an additional scoring threat to what has been the NBA's best offense over the last month.

Charlotte has cemented itself as a true playoff contender

On the heels of a seven-game winning streak, the move for White and Conley cemented Charlotte as playoff contenders. With the Bulls obviously in sell mode and the Bucks without Giannis Antetokounmpo for the foreseeable future, a spot in the NBA Play-In Tournament should be the bare minimum for the Hornets to close out the season.

Andrew Wright

Andrew "Dew" Wright graduated from Charleston Southern University with a degree in Communication Studies. He is a lifelong Chicago Cubs and Washington Commanders fan.

More must-reads: