The Chicago Bulls are at a crossroads after giving Josh Giddey a four-year, $100 million deal and handing him the keys at point guard. That leaves Coby White — fresh off a breakout season as the team’s leading scorer — entering the final year of his contract with speculation swirling about his future.
Now, trade chatter is heating up again. In a recent proposal from Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times, the Bulls were pitched as potential trade partners with the Houston Rockets, who just lost Fred VanVleet for the season with a torn ACL.
The idea? Chicago sends White to Houston in exchange for Reed Sheppard and Tari Eason.
Why the Bulls Would Consider It
For Chicago, the appeal is clear. White has established himself as a reliable scorer, but if the front office isn’t willing to meet his reported $30 million per year asking price, flipping him now could prevent losing him for nothing.
Sheppard, the No. 3 overall pick in 2024, is just scratching the surface of his potential. He impressed in Summer League and, if he develops as expected, would slot neatly alongside Giddey and Matas Buzelis on a similar timeline. Eason, meanwhile, is a physical two-way forward who would give Billy Donovan the defensive energy his roster has been missing.
With the Bulls projected to have more cap space than any team next summer, adding two young players while keeping financial flexibility would fit the front office’s long-term vision.
Why It’s Complicated for the Rockets
For Houston, the urgency is obvious. Losing VanVleet is a huge blow for a team that just added Kevin Durant and is aiming to contend now. White would immediately give them a proven guard who can create, space the floor, and ease pressure on Alperen Sengun, Amen Thompson, and Jabari Smith Jr..
But the cost is steep. Sheppard, a recent lottery pick, and Eason, a versatile defender, are both key pieces of Houston’s young core. Trading both for White, who is on an expiring contract, would be a gamble.
The Bigger Picture
For the Bulls, this type of trade could reshape the future around Giddey and Buzelis. If Sheppard lives up to his ceiling, Chicago would gain another potential franchise cornerstone. Even if Eason leaves after the season, Sheppard’s upside could justify the deal.
For the Rockets, the calculation is different. Their focus is on winning now. If White bridges the gap until VanVleet returns, it might be worth it. But losing two promising young players for a short-term fix would be a major risk.
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