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NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JANUARY 16: Coby White #0 of the Chicago Bulls in action during the game against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center on January 16, 2026 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. The Brooklyn Nets won 112-109. 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 Ishika Samant/Getty Images)
The Chicago Bulls made the decision to trade Coby White at the trade deadline. White is a pending free agent, so trading him was a clear indication he wasn’t getting a contract extension in Chicago. He had struggled with injuries, as well.
White has been dealing with a calf injury for the latter part of the season. In fact, he has missed eight of the last 10 games with the injury. He has yet to play for the Hornets since he was traded to Charlotte. White has played just 29 games so far this season.
The Bulls seemed to have misdiagnosed his calf injury. It’s something he has dealt with all year long. He addressed the medical staff in Chicago.
GettyChicago Bulls guard Coby White drives the ball. (Photo by Geoff Stellfox/Getty Images)
Former Bulls Guard Coby White Shows Bulls Medical Staff Support
Speaking before making his Hornets debut, White didn’t put the blame on the Bulls’ medical staff after Charlotte found he had a calf strain.
“I’ve been dealing with calf stuff all year. It would just get tight, and that’s all it was. It had nothing to do with them. Everybody can have their opinions, but I feel like the medical staff always had my best interest here (Chicago).”
White continued to let the Chicago medical staff off the hook.
“If I would never have gotten an MRI, if I would never have gotten traded. I probably would’ve never said anything about it, just because I thought it was just tightness. I didn’t know, they (the Bulls) didn’t know, that it was a calf strain. It was nobody’s fault, that’s just what happened. It was never hindering me from playing.”
Hornets fans were wondering why White hasn’t been able to play since he was traded. Some have blamed the Bulls for not handling his injury situation correctly. White wants to make it clear that wasn’t the case.
GettyChicago Bulls guard Coby White celebrates. (Photo by Geoff Stellfox/Getty Images)
The Bulls Have Moved on With Other Guards
Chicago added several guards at the trade deadline and moved on from White. The Bulls added Anfernee Simons and Jaden Ivey to the roster. Without White on the roster, Chicago has decided to revamp the backcourt. They knew they weren’t going to have him as part of the future.
Charlotte added White to an already exciting Hornets team. They have been playing some of the best basketball in the NBA. There is a good chance that Charlotte ends up making the playoffs now that they are the hottest team in the Eastern Conference, not named the Pistons.
The Bulls have decided to move into more of a rebuilding phase. They are tired of being stuck in the middle of the East standings. With all of the moves that they made at the trade deadline, it looks like they are entering a new era, building around Josh Giddey.
Next season, the Bulls will have a much younger team that should excite some fans.