The Detroit Pistons are trying to make maximum impact at the trade deadline without disrupting their chemistry and could look to the Chicago Bulls.
The Bulls have two players headed to free agency in Ayo Dosunmu and Coby White, and it makes sense that Chicago trades them both, as their team isn't going anywhere and they risk losing them in free agency for nothing.
The Bulls have never let logic dictate their moves, so no one really knows what they’ll do, but they are reportedly shopping for trades more aggressively than they have in the past, according to Joel Lorenzi of The Athletic (subscription).
He reported, along with Joe Cowley at the Sun Times, that the Bulls were getting calls on both Dosunmu and White, but are most open to dealing White. It makes sense, as Dosunmu is from the Chicago area, a fan favorite and will likely be cheaper to retain in free agency than White.
If it would take an overpay to get Dosunmu, he’s not worth it, though I do like him, and he’d tick some boxes as a guy who can defend, handle the ball some and shoot the 3-ball.
That leaves Coby White, who may be the most impactful player the Pistons can get without making a big move.
Coby White would provide maximum impact for the cost to the Pistons
There have been plenty of names attached to the Pistons as the trade deadline approaches, guys like Michael Porter Jr. and Trey Murphy III who would cost considerably more to obtain than White.
The Bulls have no leverage with White, who will be an unrestricted free agent, and given that status, it’s unlikely the Pistons would have to part with any of their young core to get him.
Of course, White could walk at the end of the season if the Pistons balk at being the team that gives him the raise he wants, but if they only gave up a late first-round pick to get him, that sacrifice may be worth it, as he’s the kind of player they need.
I don’t like the idea of giving up Ivey in a deal for a player like White, as Ivey could be better than him next season when he’s had more time to recover from his injury, but there’s no doubt that White is a better option than Ivey right now.
He can get buckets from all three levels and create his own shot, something the Pistons need. While White isn’t a devastating 3-point shooter, his numbers are ticking up of late, and he shoots enough of them to draw a defense.
White would fit into the Pistons’ trade exception, so they wouldn’t even have to send back a player to get him, though trading the Bulls one of the guards (Sasser) could work as well.
White isn’t the best player the Pistons can potentially get, but he’s one of the most impactful they could land without giving up much, which may be a priority for Trajan Langdon, who doesn't want to disrupt what his young roster is doing.