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    Bulls Rumors: Coby White Could Be Included in Trade Packages with No. 18 Draft Pick

    Adam WellsJune 15, 2022

    MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - APRIL 27: Coby White #0 of the Chicago Bulls handles the ball during Game Five of the Eastern Conference First Round Playoffs against the Milwaukee Bucks at Fiserv Forum on April 27, 2022 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
    Stacy Revere/Getty Images

    As the Chicago Bulls look for ways to upgrade their roster after making the playoffs this season, they could build trade offers around Coby White and draft picks.

    Per ESPN's Jonathan Givony, rival teams think the Bulls "aren't in love" with the options that could be available with the No. 18 pick and could package it with White to move out of that spot.

    The Bulls spent aggressively last offseason to upgrade their roster. DeMar DeRozan, Lonzo Ball and Alex Caruso received a combined $198.9 million in free agency.

    Those deals paid off, as the Bulls finished 46-36 and made the playoffs as the No. 6 seed in the Eastern Conference. They still have a lot of work to do based on their first-round playoff exit to the Milwaukee Bucks in which they lost the final three games by an average of 23.3 points.

    Ball did miss the final three months of the season, including the playoffs, with a knee injury.

    Looking ahead to free agency this offseason, the biggest question mark in Chicago is Zach LaVine's status. The two-time All-Star has been open about his desire to explore the market.

    B/R's Jake Fischer reported on Tuesday that LaVine is expected to re-sign with the Bulls. He is eligible for a five-year deal worth around $210 million from Chicago. Opposing teams can offer him a four-year deal worth up to $157.4 million.

    Bulls Rumors: Coby White Could Be Included in Trade Packages with No. 18 Draft Pick
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    It's unclear from Givony's report if the Bulls would be trying to move up in the draft or acquire a veteran player who could have a more immediate impact.

    DeRozan is signed for two more seasons. Nikola Vucevic has one year remaining on his contract.

    Given how much the Bulls have recently invested in trying to get better, it would make sense to add veteran help.

    White is entering the final guaranteed season of his rookie contract. The 22-year-old is eligible for a $9.9 million qualifying offer for the 2023-24 season.

    Drafted seventh in 2019, White has developed into a solid bench player over the past three seasons. He has averaged 13.7 points per game in 195 appearances and shot a career-high 38.5 percent from three-point range in 2021-22.