The Chicago Bulls face a significant contract dilemma with their rising star, Coby White. Fresh off a career-best season, White is entering the final year of his contract and is poised for a substantial payday in the 2026 offseason. However, league rules and financial constraints present a complex challenge for the Bulls’ front office as they weigh extending his contract versus exploring trade options.
The Contractual Crossroads
Coby White is currently on a three-year, $36 million deal, with the final year set to pay him $12.9 million for the 2025-26 season. This figure is widely considered to be well below market value, especially after White averaged 20.4 points and 4.5 assists per game, with a 37.0 percent three-point shooting percentage. The maximum extension the Bulls can offer this summer would start at approximately $18 million annually, a figure that many believe is insufficient to retain White given his performance and market value.
White’s Rising Value and Market Expectations
Reports suggest that White is seeking a contract exceeding $30 million annually. This high salary expectation has put the Bulls in a difficult position. NBA insider Jake Fischer noted that White’s potential contract demands are influencing the Bulls’ approach to other free agents, including Josh Giddey. The team’s financial limitations are a major factor in these considerations.
Front Office’s Stance and Potential Strategies
A Bulls front office executive admitted that the team likely cannot extend White under current rules due to insufficient pay. “We probably can’t extend him, because the rules don’t allow for us to pay him enough,” the executive stated. “But we want Coby to be a Bull for a long time. He knows how we feel about him.” Despite this sentiment, the inability to offer a competitive contract makes trade speculation surrounding White, which began at the February trade deadline, increasingly likely. The Bulls could opt to trade White before the 2025 offseason to avoid losing him in free agency without any return.
Key Takeaways
Coby White is seeking a contract potentially exceeding $30 million annually.
The Bulls are limited by league rules in offering a competitive extension.
Trading White before the 2025 offseason is a strong possibility to avoid losing him for nothing.
The Bulls also face decisions regarding fellow guard Ayo Dosunmu, who is also set for unrestricted free agency.
The Path Forward
The Bulls are at a crossroads, needing to decide whether to invest heavily in White, potentially overpaying him, or to pivot towards a pseudo-rebuild by trading him for draft capital. This decision is further complicated by the team’s lack of significant achievements over the past three seasons and the need to potentially build around other younger pieces. The team’s ability to navigate these financial and contractual complexities will be crucial in shaping their future roster.
Featured image: Coby White instagram
The post Coby White’s Contract Quandary: Bulls Weigh Extension vs. Trade Amidst Rising Salary Demands appeared first on UrbanMatter.
