Chicago Bulls guard Coby White has grown accustomed to seeing his name surface in trade chatter around the league. As the deadline approaches, that noise has picked up again, with reports linking him to potential interest from the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Despite the speculation, White has been clear about where his heart currently lies, emphasizing his appreciation for Chicago while also acknowledging the realities of the NBA.
“I love being here. I love being on this team,” White said, before noting the uncertainty that comes with his contract situation. “But I understand it’s a business and it’s different going into unrestricted free agency. They have to do what they think is best for the organization. It’s out of my control.”
White is earning $12.8 million this season, the final year of his current deal with the Bulls. That salary figure complicates matters for Chicago, as it is generally viewed as too low to serve as the foundation for a contract extension under league rules.
As a result, White is widely expected to hit unrestricted free agency this summer, where his market value could rise significantly after several productive seasons.
This looming free-agency decision puts the Bulls’ front office, led by executive vice president Arturas Karnisovas, in a difficult position. If there is a strong belief that White may leave without compensation in the offseason, Chicago could be incentivized to explore trade options before the deadline.
Moving him now could allow the Bulls to recoup assets rather than risk losing a key contributor for nothing, even if it means parting ways with a player who has expressed a genuine desire to remain with the team.
Coby White Prefers To Stay With Bulls https://t.co/V3H2P090z8
— RealGM (@RealGM) December 13, 2025
