Top 3 possible trade scenarios for Chicago Bulls' Coby White ahead of the 2021-22 NBA season

Chicago Bulls' Coby White has floated around in NBA trade rumors and the addition of Lonzo Ball on a four-year deal will likely keep that trend going. White just completed his second season in the NBA and has shown notable promise as a scoring threat at 6'5'".

While Lonzo's addition does not make Coby White's role vanish, it may signal a hesitance to believe that Coby White is the long-term answer alongside Zach LaVine at point guard.

In 2021-22, Coby White averaged 15.1 points, 4.8 assists, and 4.1 rebounds while shooting 41.6 percent from the field and 35.9 percent from three. One of his primary improvements between years one and two was his playmaking, as he tallied just 2.7 assists per night in his rookie campaign.

I'd say those are solid enough numbers for substantial money to be on the table come restricted free agency.

No front office enjoys seeing assets, especially former lottery picks, walk away with no return. If Chicago believes White might be offered starter money when he hits the open market, then I would expect them to entertain trade offers.

Here are three trade packages involving Coby White that I think make sense for both sides.

#3 Coby White & Alize Johnson for Maxi Kleber, Tyrell Terry, & DAL 2022 1st

Maxi Kleber constests Coby White's layup attempt

The Dallas Mavericks have been searching for a dynamic scoring guard to pair with their young superstar Luka Doncic. Coby White could be that guy for them with his ability to put the ball in the basket and therefore ease the load on Doncic.

In an attempt to maintain a bit of front court depth and to make salaries work, I also have Dallas receiving Alize Johnson. Outside of Doncic and the often hobbled Kristaps Porzingis, Coby White could quickly become the most promising young offensive player on their roster.

From the Chicago Bulls' perspective, adding front-court depth would be ideal behind sophomore Patrick Williams. Maxi Kleber is capable of providing minutes at either the four or the five positions and would supply some much-needed interior defense to the Bulls.

With Coby White out of the picture, the Bulls would be able to bring along former Stanford product Tyrell Terry. With a multitude of other offensive hubs in Chicago, an ideal off-ball role for Terry could be his path to becoming a rotational player.

Kleber and Terry alone may be enough to get this deal done, likely depending on how each front office feels about the potential of both Coby White and Terry. Since Coby White seems to have believers around the league in his ceiling as a high-level scorer, I included a lottery-protected 2022 Los Angeles Clippers 1st owned by Dallas as well.

#2 - Coby White for Dennis Schroder & BOS 2022 1st

Dennis Schroder attempts a layup over Coby White

After trading Kemba Walker, the Boston Celtics were left with a notable hole in the point guard position - depending on how much you believe in Payton Pritchard's ceiling. Luckily for Brad Stevens, Dennis Schroder's free agency took a turn for the worse and left him with extremely limited options.

While some believe a more pass-first guard would be ideal alongside the Boston duo, if they come to realize a scorer in Schroder's mold is ideal then White could become a target. His youth and additional team control could be worth giving up their own lottery protected 2022 1st.

Coby White could be a longer-term option for the Celtics, seeing as he more optimally fits the timeline of cornerstones Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. The Celtics would not be able to include Schroder in a trade until November 11th due to him just recently signing this offseason.

From Chicago's point-of-view, this deal would be focused on the idea of not wanting to see Coby White walk away for nothing. Schroder would be able to fill out the backup point guard void for the rest of the season and the front office could then look to flip the aforementioned first for additional assets, if they prefer to.

#1 - Coby White & Alize Johnson for Derrick Favors & 2022 LAC 1st

Thaddeus Young was moved on in the DeMar DeRozan sign-and-trade, and Derrick Favors could be someone who fills a nearly identical role for Chicago. Favors has shown the ability to play in both big man positions, which would be ideal for a Bulls team lacking in that aspect.

While Favors does not space the floor, having Nikola Vucevic alongside him to do so would severely limit that issue. Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan, Lonzo Ball, Vucevic, and even Williams (in spurts) should be responsible for most of the offensive burden on that roster anyway.

To compliment them, the Bulls should look to acquire defensive-minded role players and Favors fits the bill to a tee. Still, Chicago would likely ask for more in this deal, especially with the ridiculous treasure trove of assets the Oklahoma City Thunder are working with.

It shouldn't be much to ask for a 2022 LAC 1st along with Favors for Coby White. Who knows, maybe the Clippers will slump this season with Kawhi Leonard sidelined and the Bulls make off like bandits?

Yet, even if the Clippers remain in the middle of the Western Conference, the Bulls could find themselves excited by the fit of Derrick Favors while simultaneously garnering additional trade assets.

Again, the Bulls simply cannot watch Coby White walk in free agency for nothing and the Thunder are clearly in a position where they are willing to take flyers on young talent.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has shown the ability to play three different positions and his backcourt partner is still to be determined. Coby White could act as the outside threat Shai is able to kick out to after penetrating and bending defenses.

What Coby White needs is as much playing time as possible to discover just what caliber of player he can be in this league. Oklahoma City is an ideal situation to allow that freedom and opportunity for a promising 21-year-old guard.