Chicago Bulls: Has Coby White become expendable in Chicago?

Has Coby White suddenly become expendable for the Chicago Bulls? 

The Chicago Bulls have been the talk of the first wee in the NBA’s Eastern Conference. They’re 4-0 and off to their best start in a quarter-century. The last time the Bulls won their first four games of the season, Michael Jordan was winning championships for the franchise.

Even though it’s only been a handful of games, I believe it’s safe to say that the offseason additions of DeMar DeRozan, Lonzo Ball, and Alex Caruso have worked out swimmingly. While there is still much to prove, the looming return of Coby White has to bring about more questions than answers.

One that Chicago will have to answer is whether the additions of DeRozan, Ball and Caruso, along with their early-season success, have made White somewhat expendable.

White could hit restricted free agency after next season and the team will have to decide whether or not they want to extend him and, if so, it’s going to likely cost them a good chunk of change – perhaps the amount that would push them into the luxury tax.

Quite frankly, I’m not sure White is the player you want to push you in that direction. Additionally, despite the quick start, I’m not sure if the return of White vaults them into contender status. Don’t get me wrong, White is certainly a good player. He has shown that time and time through his first two seasons in the league.

But he has also certainly struggled.

White struggled with court vision and is what you would call a volume shooter. He averaged 15 points per game last season but did so on 41 percent shooting from the field and 35 percent shooting from 3-point range.

An argument could be made that the Bulls would benefit from his deep shooting, but I’m not sure if they would benefit greatly from his shot selection. He could theoretically be a super sixth man, but I’m not sure if that shifts the ceiling for Chicago.

Plus, I’m not sure if that’s where White wants his ceiling to be at this point in his career. White started nearly every game for the Bulls a season ago. Even though circumstances have changed for the Bulls, there’s no guarantee that White will excel in a role off the bench.

In a similar type of role during his rookie season, White shot sub-40 percent from the floor. That’s, not great. Especially in today’s ultra-efficient game.

Some executives believe that White, for one reason or another, could be a prime trade candidate at some point this season. I’d be interesting to see if that’s due to simple math with the additions of DeRozan, Ball, and Caruso, or if there’s some added inside information to that suggestion.

Either way, you can’t help but think that White may have become somewhat of an expendable asset after the offseason in Chicago. We should find out one way or another soon.