Bulls' Coby White out Wednesday, could return Thursday against Heat

DETROIT — Bulls guard Coby White (calf management) missed Wednesday’s game against the Pistons as the team monitors him after dealing with two separate calf injuries.

Coach Billy Donovan said that White is on track to play Thursday against the Heat. White worked out on Tuesday and worked with the player development staff after shootaround on Wednesday. The team is understandably being cautious with White, knowing that the calf can be a precursor to a more serious injury.

“There's nothing with his calf that's holding him back,” Donovan said. “But I think they just want to see him build up more minutes, maybe build up a few more games.”

Adding another ballhandler

The Bulls signed guard Yuki Kawamura to a two-way contract on Tuesday and released forward Trentyn Flowers. Kawamura was released in training camp because of a medical condition. Donovan revealed Wednesday that Kawamura was dealing with a blood clot.

“You always take [blood clots] seriously,” Donovan said. “He came out fine and was basically cleared to play by the league. He's worked really hard. He was still able to play basketball. They wanted to eliminate any contact situations for him, but he was still in the gym, shooting and trying to work out and stay in shape on his own with the guidance of what he was allowed to do medically.”

Kawamura’s return coincides with the Bulls having a sudden need for another ballhandler with White dealing with restrictions as he works his way back from a calf injury, and as Josh Giddey deals with a left hamstring strain.

Despite his small stature, Kawamura has a knack for being able to get in the paint and spray kick-out passes to teammates. In two preseason games with the Bulls, Kawamura averaged three points, four rebounds and four assists.

“To have another ballhandler would be good,” Donovan said of Kawamura. “[Kawamura] obviously has played in the league. I want to see where he's at physically.”

Culture shift

The Bulls and Pistons both had top-ten selections in the 2020 NBA Draft. Forward Patrick Williams (No. 4) and former Pistons guard Killian Hayes (No. 7) have both underwhelmed to varying degrees. Hayes is in the G League while Williams is currently signed to an onerous five-year, $90 million contract but not a fixture in the rotation.

One could argue that the Bulls and Pistons were in similar spots. But the Bulls, instead of taking another year to reset and build through the draft, tried to fast-track their rebuild, trading for Nikola Vucevic in 2021 and signing All-Star DeMar DeRozan to form a big three with Zach LaVine.

The Pistons instead kept trying to build through the draft, selecting Cade Cunningham No. 1 overall in 2021 and acquiring the draft rights to center Jalen Duren in 2022. Duren and Cunningham have become cornerstones and tone-setters for the franchise. Progress wasn’t linear as the Pistons trudged through a 28-game losing streak in the 2023-24 season and fired former coach Monty Williams. But now, the Pistons sit atop the Eastern Conference.

“They were a young basketball team that's gotten better and has been hardened through some of [their] past experiences,” Donovan said. “You could see the talent, and sometimes that takes a little bit of time … everybody's path [is] always a little bit different.”