According to NBA insider Sam Amick of The Athletic, the Minnesota Timberwolves have legitimate interest in Chicago Bulls guard Coby White.
However, White’s looming free agency could prevent a trade.
White is making $12.9 million this season in the final year of his contract. He signed a three-year, $36 million deal with the Bulls in 2023.
“A Minnesota Timberwolves source confirmed that there is legitimate interest in Coby White, but the 25-year-old’s looming free agency appears to be a significant hindrance to a possible trade,” Amick wrote. “He’s making $12.8 million in the final year of his deal and is widely expected to seek a major raise this summer. But the fear of that unknown, it seems, means this is the kind of ‘rental’ situation that drops the price point precipitously and creates a negotiating gap between the two sides.”
A UNC product, White is averaging 22.1 points, 2.7 rebounds and 5.4 assists per game this season while shooting 43.1% from the field, 30.2% from beyond the arc and 80.4% from the free-throw line.
White turns 26 in February. He holds career averages of 15.3 points, 3.6 rebounds and 3.9 assists per game. The North Carolina native doesn’t have a no-trade clause in his contract.
The Timberwolves are 15-9. They are in sixth place in the Western Conference standings. Minnesota has lost in the Western Conference Finals two years in a row.
Meanwhile, the Bulls are only 9-14. They are in 11th place in the Eastern Conference standings. Chicago hasn’t made the playoffs since 2022.