According to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, the Chicago Bulls are re-signing point guard Coby White to a new three-year, $40 million contract. The 23-year-old point guard showed a great deal of potential toward the end of last season, stepping into a starting role and flashing the talent that lured the Bulls to pick him seventh overall in 2019.
Chicago previously extended qualifying offers to White and Ayo Dosunmu, both of whom could be crucial pieces moving forward given Lonzo Ball is not expected to return to the court next season. This leaves the Bulls very thin at the point guard position.
Shams Charania of The Athletic originally reported the deal was three years, $33 million, but Keith Smith of Spotrac pointed out that the deal likely has roughly $7 million in possible incentives, explaining the differentiating reports.
Free agent G Coby White has agreed on a three-year, $40 million deal to stay with the Chicago Bulls, his agents Ty Sullivan and Steven Heumann of @CAA_Basketball tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/oZoLtnwg8q
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 30, 2023
Despite the lack of success this past season, the Bulls are pushing forward with their core of Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan and Nikola Vucevic.
Bringing White back will give the Bulls a quality point guard capable of starting. With the new CBA, a deal at roughly $13 million is a steal for the youngster. If White can improve his playmaking and develop a consistent 3-point shot, the Bulls will have a great option.
Chicago needs to stay active in free agency if it wants to improve its playoff hopes for next year. Right now, the roster isn’t quite good enough to guarantee a postseason spot.