The Pistons’ biggest weakness remains their lack of secondary scorers in the halfcourt, and they may have a solution on a nearby team. Coby White of the Bulls is a potent scorer whose contract situation makes his current trade value extremely low. He’s proven himself as a deadly shooter throughout his career and could give the Pistons another outside threat in a trade.
Coby White is a great all-around scorer
White is averaging a career-high 22 points per game this season, although his efficiency is down. He’s only played 7 games since returning from a calf strain in the offseason, but he’s already established himself as Chicago’s best scorer. Unfortunately for White, the Bulls have gone on a terrible losing streak recently as they’ve dropped 7 in a row.
As a result, White’s trade value is at an all-time low. He’s on the last year of his contract and expecting a big pay raise after making just $12 million this season. For a 20 point per game scorer past his rookie contract, that’s extremely cheap. White will understandably seek a contract that pays him closer to his true worth next summer.
Lost in White’s inefficiency this season and his contract complications are the skills he’s shown throughout his career. He shoots 37% from beyond the arc over his 7 seasons and has developed significantly as a pull-up shooter. The Pistons take the fourth-fewest pull-up jumpers in the league this season, so adding another guard capable of making them will help the Pistons offense.
The Pistons have done their best to add shooting over the offseason, but it hasn’t panned out on the court aside from Duncan Robinson. Even with Robinson’s sharpshooting, the Pistons still rank 28th in the NBA in threes made. White can certainly help that effort; he had the 15th most threes in the NBA last season.
On the other side of the ball, White does have his weaknesses. He’s far from a two-way force that would make him a truly perfect fit for the Pistons. But the Pistons have shown the ability to hide weaker defenders with their excellent schemes and rangy athletes this season. Between coach JB Bickerstaff and defensive playmakers to erase mistake, White could definitely survive defensively as a Piston.
His offensive impact can make up for the downgrade on defense compared to other Pistons guards. White is more than capable of hitting open threes, as well as creating his own looks off the dribble. His playstyle also fits very well with the Pistons’ fast-paced preference. Last season, White led the entire NBA in transition points. His specialty was hitting transition threes, an element missing from the Pistons’ attack.