While the Memphis Grizzlies’ Ja Morant has been the available guard getting the headlines recently, the Chicago Bulls have seemingly had Coby White on the trade block for the last two months.
The seventh-year player out of North Carolina will hit free agency after this season and would likely be a second-half rental for an acquiring team. Still, he has no shortage of suitors, as he could help any contender with his ability to run the point.
The Atlanta Hawks just traded away Trae Young and are reportedly interested in upgrading at point guard. In a new trade proposal, ClutchPoints’ Jedd Pagaduan has Atlanta redirecting one of the players it received from the Washington Wizards for Young to Chicago in exchange for White and another player on an expiring contract.
Here’s the full trade proposal:
- Bulls receive: G CJ McCollum, 2026 San Antonio first-round pick (own Atlanta’s first-round pick this year via swap), 2026 second-round pick, 2029 second-round pick
- Hawks receive: G Coby White, C Nikola Vucevic
Who says yes to this deal? Who says no? Let’s see it through and find out:
Why Chicago Bulls Make This Trade
From Chicago’s perspective, it’s better to look at this one trade as two separate deals.
The Bulls essentially swap White for McCollum, another player whose contract is up after this season, at point guard. This would simultaneously allow them to remain in contention for the Play-In Tournament and look towards the future, as Chicago’s young players could learn a lot from the veteran McCollum in the second half of the season.
The Vucevic part of the trade gives Chicago draft capital for a player who could also leave in free agency. The Bulls will get two more picks this year they can use to fill out their roster with younger, less expensive pieces. The center is having a solid season, however, and Chicago may push the Hawks for another 2026 first rounder.
Why Atlanta Hawks Make This Trade
From Atlanta’s perspective, you look at this as one trade to get two players who can help you win this year in a wide open Eastern Conference.
White is younger than McCollum and offers more upside at the point guard position, with the former having a slightly greater offensive impact this season. He would mesh well with Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Jalen Johnson and allow Dyson Daniels to come off the bench as his defensive replacement.
Vucevic is more of a scorer than a defender, but he would provide valuable insurance for Kristaps Porzingis, who continues to battle POTS this season. Losing a first-round pick is tough — especially with both White and Vucevic headed for the open market at the end of the season — but Atlanta still has the unprotected 2026 first-rounder they acquired from the New Orleans Pelicans during the draft last year.
Bulls Blockbuster Trade Proposal Sends Coby White To East Rival