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CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - DECEMBER 27: Coby White #0 of the Chicago Bulls calls for a foul during the second half against the Chicago Bulls at the United Center on December 27, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Geoff Stellfox/Getty Images)
The Chicago Bulls have been stuck in the middle of the NBA standings for the last few years. This year has been more of the same. Right now, they sit 10th in the Eastern Conference standings. They would once again be in the play-in if the season ended today.
It seems clear that the Bulls won’t be making a run at a title this season. They also won’t be bad enough to get one of the best picks in what is a loaded 2026 NBA Draft. In order to get out of the middle, Chicago needs to make some trades to part with some players.
A bold trade proposal from Sam Vecenie of The Athletic has the Bulls parting ways with one of their core players in order to finally facilitate a desperately needed rebuild.
GettyChicago Bulls point guard Coby White gestures during a game. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
Bulls Part Ways With Point Guard in Bold Trade Proposal
Here is the full trade proposal:
• Detroit Pistons acquire: Coby White
• Chicago Bulls acquire: Detroit’s 2026 first-round pick, two future second-round picks
Not getting any players in return in this trade might be a sticking point. Chicago still wants to be good enough to get people excited enough to go to games. However, White is an expiring contract and has already missed a large chunk of this season.
Finding someone willing to give them a good young player and a first-round pick might be hard. This first-round pick would likely come late in the round, so that might not be attractive to Chicago if they are seriously considering a rebuild.
Still, Chicago could always try to re-sign White in the offseason if it believes he is a core part of the team. Adding a first-round pick in that scenario would be a bonus. White is still young, so he is certainly an asset around the league.
GettyChicago Bulls point guard Coby White drives the ball. (Photo by Geoff Stellfox/Getty Images)
The Bulls Should Do Something at the Trade Deadline
Even if moving White isn’t the preferred move for the Bulls, they need to do something at the trade deadline. Staying in the play-in every single year is not going to be something fans will tolerate much longer. They want to support a contender, and starting a rebuild is the way to do that.
Nikola Vucevic is an older center who could have value to a contender. White is someone other teams are intrigued by. Chicago seems committed to Josh Giddey, so it might keep him. Still, everyone else should be up for a potential trade at the deadline.
A failure to make a move will likely result in another middling finish that doesn’t give them a top draft pick. Chicago is unlikely to win a play-in game if it makes it, so that doesn’t help anyone, either. The Bulls need to commit to a full teardown of the roster.
White would make sense as the player to move so they can assess how to move forward.