If the Detroit Pistons want to make maximum use of their $14.2 million trade exception, they could target Coby White of the Chicago Bulls.
That an opinion given on a recent episode of the Game Theory Podcast with Sam Vecenie, who identified White as a possible target for the Pistons.
It’s a possibility I wrote about back in December when it was first reported that the Bulls were finally open to trading their guard, who will be an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season.
On paper, White would be an upgrade as a second scoring option who can handle the ball, and one the Pistons could potentially get without giving up much.
Detroit has a $14 million trade exception that White’s contract would fit into, so they could theoretically land White for draft picks without sending back a significant contract, or one at all.
It’s an interesting idea that would allow the Pistons to make an upgrade without abandoning the plan.
Coby White would be a bridge trade for the Detroit Pistons
It’s become clear that the Pistons are hesitant to trade any of their young core players, and they should be, as OKC has shown that patience can pay off, and the Pistons can make necessary adjustments to the roster in the offseason with more information.
That’s what makes White appealing, as they could feasibly get him with picks, which would mean not giving up on any core players. White hasn’t shot the ball particularly well so far this season, but we know he can score it and he’s still getting 18 a game while shooting 32 percent from 3-point range, which his career averages tell us will eventually tick up.
White may not be the final piece to a title team, but he’d help the Pistons hold onto the top seed and make them more dangerous in the playoffs with another player who can pop for 30 points on a given night.
He’d also give the Pistons an extended tryout for Jaden Ivey as a backup, potentially in a more favorable role, but what comes next?
Would the Pistons want to pay White? What about Jaden Ivey?
While I like the idea of White as a bridge trade that wouldn’t cost the Pistons much, the idea starts to fall apart when you think about his next contract. White has been playing on an extremely team-friendly deal and will want to get paid as a free agent.
He’ll also be unrestricted, so the Pistons would have to bid on him like everyone else and wouldn’t have an edge.
It would just add more drama to an offseason that will already include a new contract for Jalen Duren, and possibly Jaden Ivey and Ausar Thompson.
The Pistons won’t want to pay White $25-30 million a year with more important players getting raises, so they’d potentially be giving up a first-round pick (albeit a bad one) for a half-season rental.
The price may be worth it if White helped the Pistons win the Eastern Conference, so he’s an interesting name to watch as the deadline approaches.