A month ago, Chicago Sun-Times’ Joe Cowley reported that the Minnesota Timberwolves had inquired about Coby White, seeking to address their long-standing need for a primary ball-handler—a position the Wolves are eager to fix sooner rather than later.
Coby White isn’t the solution for the Wolves
Nonetheless, the rumor has since died down amid White's recurring calf injuries and Minnesota's apparent reluctance to pay for a big-name guard. Most recently, NBA insider Jake Fischer wrote of the Wolves' plans: "As much as Minnesota continues to explore its options in terms of improving its backcourt depth, I've been told that they are looking at their mid-tier-salaried options."
But that begs the question: why not White? He’s not a handsomely paid guard like fellow trade candidates Ja Morant and LaMelo Ball. Shouldn’t he be an ideal target in the “mid-tier” salary range? Well, it’s not that simple.
Even though White is only on the books for $12 million this season, he’s undoubtedly seeking a contract worth well over $25 million next year and beyond. Just months ago, it was reported that he was eyeing a deal paying at least $30 million annually. With one of the more stringent salary cap situations in the NBA, Minnesota wouldn’t be able to re-sign the 25-year-old. Trading for White would mean giving up assets for only half a season of him.
Tre Jones is the trade candidate Minnesota needs
Nevertheless, there’s a point guard besides White that Minnesota could be targeting—and he just so happens to play for the Bulls. Tre Jones. The 26-year-old guard is in the midst of a strong season, averaging 11.9 points, 3.0 rebounds, 5.5 assists, and 1.3 steals per game. Perhaps the most appealing part of Jones, though, is his contract. He’s signed for three more seasons at $24 million, making him a valuable trade asset.
Plus, unlike White, Jones fits the mold of a player the Wolves would theoretically pursue. He’s a low-usage, game-managing guard who’s reliable on defense and almost Mike Conley-esque—the type of player who helped Minnesota rise to Western Conference contender in recent years. However, at 38, Conley can only contribute so much. He’s averaging just 4.9 points in 18.5 minutes per game this season, which has fueled Minnesota’s search for a new point guard.
And Jones could be just the guy. Earning only $8 million, he gives the Wolves flexibility to propose a few hypothetical trade packages for the 6-foot-1 floor general—two of which should interest the Bulls. The first could include Rob Dillingham and a near-minimum contract player like Leonard Miller (Emanuel’s brother). The second might feature Mike Conley and second-year swingman Terrence Shannon Jr.
While Dillingham and Shannon Jr. are intriguing pieces, players Minnesota should covet, neither has consistently cracked the Wolves’ rotation, with both averaging fewer than 13.0 minutes per game this season. Jones, on the other hand, has reached his ceiling—but that’s exactly what the Wolves need at this stage. Chicago, meanwhile, can afford to trade high-floor players for high-ceiling talent.
The rumblings of Jones going to Minnesota haven’t been very strong. However, ESPN recently mocked a trade sending Jones to the Wolves in exchange for both Dillingham and Shannon Jr. That would likely be the most favorable deal for the Bulls, but whether Minnesota would part with two of its most-prized prospects remains to be seen. What we do know is that Jones makes a lot more sense for the Wolves than White does.