Early last season, it looked like the Chicago Bulls were becoming contenders, but they have since declined and become a mediocre squad.
They have two major talents in Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan, but they need reliable pieces around them in order to become relevant for the first time in years.
On Friday, as free agency opened across the NBA, they agreed to a three-year deal with guard Coby White that could pay him as much as $40 million, per K.C. Johnson.
Can confirm that Coby White and the Bulls are in agreement on a 3-year deal worth potentially $40M.
— K.C. Johnson (@KCJHoop) June 30, 2023
In his four NBA seasons, all of which have been spent in Chicago, White has been a promising player, although he hasn’t quite fulfilled the complete expectations that came with being the No. 7 pick in the 2019 NBA Draft.
His high-water mark so far came in the 2020-21 season when he averaged 15.1 points, 4.8 assists, and 4.1 rebounds a game, and although his production has dipped since, he has improved his 3-point shooting.
At 6-foot-5, he has improved on the defensive end of the court, and defense is where the Bulls have been trying to base their identity.
In early 2022, they held the best record in the Eastern Conference heading into the All-Star break, as they had become a very solid defensive team, but injuries to Lonzo Ball and Alex Caruso torpedoed what was looking like a promising season.
Ball hasn’t played since January of 2022, and his career is in jeopardy, while LaVine has continued to be mentioned in trade rumors.
At some point, Chicago could possibly call on White to play a somewhat increased role and truly earn his new contract.
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