Time is of the essence as trade rumors grow around Bulls' Coby White

The Minnesota Timberwolves have been big-game hunting for a point guard.

There were rumors that they inquired about Memphis’ Ja Morant, have kicked the tires on Kyrie Irving, and now have their sights set on a more realistic target. That’s where the Bulls come in.

According to a source, Coby White has been inquired about, and time is of the essence in the Bulls making a decision. The source said that Minnesota is not looking to wait until February and the trade deadline to get a deal done, looking to fix the primary ball-handling situation that’s been an issue all season long for them.

White not only does that, but helps them continue to improve on their pace, which has been a priority since last year.

So what’s the hold up?

Despite currently sinking in a seven-game losing streak, Bulls executive vice president of basketball operations Arturas Karnisovas isn’t ready to fold his hand just yet. Maybe soon, but not yet. Karnisovas has preached “competitive integrity” for years, so the idea of tanking isn’t on the table. But would moving White for a package of Donte DiVincenzo, Terrence Shannon Jr. and a future draft pick be tanking or reloading?

DiVincenzo is not the offensive player White is but would help the backcourt issues defensively just with his ability to be a headache from a deflection standpoint, and he is a career 38% three-point shooter.

Meanwhile, Shannon showed a lot of promise as a rookie out of Illinois last season, including a 25-point performance against the Lakers last February. He was expected to make a huge jump this year but was slowed by injuries and has now seemingly fallen out of favor in the rotation because of a step back in his defense.

What Karnisovas and his front office would have to move past is White’s importance in the locker room as well as his work ethic off the court.

Yes, the guard rightfully turned down an extension from the Bulls last offseason, wanting to bet on himself and explore unrestricted free agency come next July. The Sun-Times reported at the start of the 2025-26 campaign, however, that both the Bulls and White’s camp agreed to keep talks amicable as free agency approaches with the Bulls being having first dibs at keeping him in Chicago.

Easy to do when the team ended last year’s regular season 15-5 and felt like a backcourt of White and Josh Giddey was the proper path forward.

Things have changed. White started this year off in street clothes, nursing a calf issue, and since his return the Bulls are only 2-5.

Too small of a sample size to judge Giddey – who was extended last offseason – and White?

Maybe, but the defensive breakdowns in the backcourt really haven’t surprised anyone. Neither player is an above average defender, let alone an elite defender, so even coach Billy Donovan knew the defense would be tested. It has and it’s failed.

The one card Karnisovas is holding in his hand is this roster’s flexibility. White, Nikola Vucevic, Kevin Huerter, Zach Collins, Ayo Dosunmu and Jevon Carter are each unrestricted free agents, while the Bulls could also walk away from the rookie contracts of Dalen Terry and Julian Phillips.

If the ship is sinking like it has the last few weeks, why not start playing that card to bring in different bodies but also try and add future draft assets?

DiVincenzo is making $11.9 million this year and is a free agent after the 2026-27 season ($12.5 million), while Shannon is on his rookie deal. Throw in a draft pick, and Karnisovas at least has to weigh his options.

Then again, the executive has spent his six years in this chair with the Bulls zigging when the world has been screaming for him to zag.

Either way, the Bulls game in Charlotte is taking on a bit more magnitude than just a Dec. 12 regular-season contest, and the clock is ticking.