Coby White is entering the final year of his current deal with the Chicago Bulls, and while he is eligible for an extension, he has made it clear that he won’t be signing one before the season ends.
White is set to earn $12.8 million this year. Under the NBA’s veteran extension rules, he could only agree to a projected four-year, $86.9 million extension, beginning with a first-year salary of about $19.4 million.
Those rules cap his extension at 140% of either his current salary or the league’s estimated average salary.
In White’s case, both figures would lock him in at less than $20 million annually to start – a number he and his camp believe he can surpass when he becomes a free agent in 2026.
That reality makes waiting the logical business decision. Still, White’s stance shouldn’t be mistaken for a desire to leave Chicago.
On the contrary, the 25-year-old guard has embraced the city and the organization, and he made sure to emphasize that in a recent conversation with Andscape’s Marc Spears.
“I love being in Chicago. I love the front office. I love my teammates. I love the staff,” White said. “I built a great relationship with coach Billy Donovan. And for me, if it is meant to be (to) stay a Chicago Bull, then I can’t ask for nothing else.”
Coby White Has Informed Bulls He Doesn't Plan To Extend This Season https://t.co/EynsIqg3eN
— RealGM (@RealGM) September 28, 2025
