The latest Chicago Bulls news on Jan. 4 after an embarrassing loss to the Charlotte Hornets, including Jalen Smith's painful absence and a new, sobering Coby White trade reality.
Bulls beaten by short-handed Hornets
"Beaten" and "short" apply here in more ways than one. Yes, Charlotte pulled out a 112-99 win at the United Center, but it was far more disappointing than that for Chicago.
The Hornets had zero centers available as Ryan Kalkbrenner, Moussa Diabate and Mason Plumlee were all nursing injuries. Second-year forward PJ Hall, he of 6-foot-8 stature and already on his third NBA team, was head coach Charles Lee's starting big man.
Even without Zach Collins, Chicago should've dominated the interior.
Not so fast.
Charlotte out-rebounded the Bulls 52-43 and grabbed 13 offensive boards compared to Chicago's six. The Hornets scored 46 points in the paint. They had 16 second-chance points. The Bulls had two.
Jalen Smith exits Charlotte loss after head injury
Not having Collins -- Billy Donovan's burliest and most active interior big man -- was a significant problem. But once Jalen Smith went to the locker room in the third quarter, the Bulls fell apart.
Smith and LaMelo Ball knocked heads, and the former did not return. In 15 minutes, the 25-year-old had nine points and five rebounds (two offensive) and three blocks. It's no surprise that Chicago's interior defense deteriorated after his injury.
The Bulls were outscored 32-17 in the third quarter and 30-24 in the fourth. The Hornets owned an 18-8 rebound advantage in the third and grabbed five offensive boards in the fourth.
Donovan has rolled with a two-big lineup featuring Smith and Collins over the last few weeks. Smith's ability to stretch the floor and stick with quicker players on the perimeter, paired with Collins' physicality and activity inside, has made a dramatic difference for Chicago.
The former Maryland star was diagnosed with a concussion after the Hornets loss, and as of Jan. 4, his return timetable is unknown.
Coby White's trade value is tanking
Coby White is Chicago's most valuable trade asset. But barely a month out from the Feb. 5 trade deadline, his value is rapidly diminishing.
The 25-year-old missed the first 11 games of this season with a right calf injury. Shortly after he returned, he missed time with a left calf injury. After he played his first back-to-back of the season on Dec. 26 and 27, he was shut down with another right calf injury.
White is a three-level scorer and underrated playmaker who can capably fill both guard positions. He should be attractive to teams in need of a ball handler, such as the Minnesota Timberwolves, Houston Rockets and Orlando Magic.
But he'll be a free agent at the end of this season and will earn at least $20-25 million annually on a new contract. He's missed more games (19) than he's played (16). And he's not a strong defender.
A productive first few months from White would've given Chicago some leverage in trade negotiations. As it stands, the Bulls don't have much, and it's going to set their "competitive rebuild" back further than it already is.