There were several key storylines for the Chicago Bulls entering the 2024-25 NBA season.
Would the front office finally find a way to trade the overpaid and oft-injured Zach LaVine? There was a fleeting moment in which it seemed possible it could find a deal with the Denver Nuggets in a LaVine for Michael Porter Jr. swap. The door appears to have slammed shut on that possibility.
Could Chicago find a taker for Nikola Vucevic? That one looks more achievable—if that's the direction the organization decides to take.
How Josh Giddey would acclimate to head coach Billy Donovan's new up-tempo system was another question that needed answering. Ditto for health; LaVine only played 25 games last season, could he remain on the floor? What about Lonzo Ball, who hadn't played in two and a half years? Would he return and be productive again?
Some of these issues that needed solving were, and still are, dependent on whether or not Chicago decides to lean into a full rebuild or remain competitive. As they've done the last few seasons, the Bulls appear to be trying to straddle the line between the two.
Perhaps a less urgent but arguably just as important storyline to follow entering the year was the development of Coby White. The UNC alum had a breakout 2023-24 campaign, showing the potential to possibly become a No. 1 offensive option if he continued to expand his skill set.
If the Bulls really were to tear everything down, reload their draft asset cupboard and start from scratch, White is by far their most desirable trade piece.
But the 24-year-old has not progressed as the Bulls hoped; based on his last handful of games, though, he's rapidly flipping that narrative.
Coby White has been the Bulls' best player in January
Last season, White averaged 19.1 points, 4.5 rebounds and 5.1 assists (and only 2.1 turnovers). He shot 44.7 percent from the field and 37.6 percent from three.
This year, he's averaging fewer points (18.5), rebounds (3.4), assists (4.6) and is turning the ball over more often (2.4 per game). His shooting percentages are down, both from the field (43.2) and from deep (37.3).
Instead of taking another leap like the Bulls anticipated, he's regressed. At least until recently.
Over his last six games, White is averaging 23.5 points, 3.5 rebounds and 5.8 assists with shooting splits of 51/45/95. He's scored at least 20 points in five of those six, including a 33-point outburst in a comeback, upset victory over the New York Knicks in which he was 9-of-11 from three.
In just those six contests, he bumped his scoring average up an entire point and his shooting percentages went from 41.4 to 43.2 and 35.8 to 37.3 from the field and from beyond the arc, respectively.
White is 11th in the league in scoring among guards during that span and 11th in field goal percentage. He's sixth in three point percentage despite taking nearly eight per game.
This brings us to the question of what the Bulls want to do with one of their best young players or, more importantly, what they want to do as a franchise. If Chicago opens up shop and decides to sell, White is by far the best trade chip it holds.
Brooklyn's Cam Johnson is the most sought-after available player on the market right now; White is more talented, has more upside, is four years younger and is on a similarly team-friendly contract.
The Nets are asking for multiple first-round picks in exchange for Johnson. With several teams battling to acquire his services, they might get them. If Chicago decides to part ways with White, it would get at least a similar package, perhaps more.
On the flip side, White could, arguably, be the centerpiece of a rebuild if the Bulls can trade LaVine and Vucevic. But is he good enough to be a team's best player? Or would multiple first-round picks be more valuable?
