CHICAGO — The Bulls again stand at a crossroads. For over a decade, they’ve hovered between mediocrity and faint contention. They never fully embraced a rebuild, despite glaring needs. Now, Coby White’s looming free agency could define their future. He wants to test those choppy waters according to Joe Crowley of Chicago Sun Times.
Bulls’ Coby White Set To Test Free Agency Like Josh Giddey
Josh Giddey’s restricted free agency dominated headlines last summer. He eventually signed a four-year, $100 million contract, but only after months of uncertainty. White faces a similar path. Unlike Giddey, though, White will hit unrestricted free agency — a riskier scenario for Chicago.
White’s Contract Situation
White is entering the final year of his deal. He earns $12.8 million this season and is extension-eligible, but he has declined to sign one. Under NBA extension rules, the Bulls could only offer four years, $86.9 million, starting at $19.4 million. That figure lags far behind the market value White expects to command.
Chicago knows the stakes. As The Stein Line reported, the Bulls anticipate White seeking more than $120 million next offseason. That expectation makes it unlikely he accepts a below-market extension.
White’s Rising Value
White delivered a breakout season last year, appearing in 74 games and averaging 20.4 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 4.5 assists. He shot efficiently, including 45.3% from the field, 37% from three, and 90.2% from the line. Those numbers showed growth and consistency, pushing him beyond the role of a secondary option.
Now 25, the former seventh overall pick from North Carolina holds career averages of 15.2 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 3.8 assists. His development has placed him in a new salary tier, ensuring Coby White’s free agency becomes one of the most watched stories of 2026.
Comparisons to Giddey
The Giddey comparison remains unavoidable. Last season, Giddey averaged 14.6 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 7.2 assists. He collected 30 double-doubles and seven triple-doubles, numbers that secured his nine-figure deal in free agency. White’s scoring edge and upward trajectory suggest he may demand even more. White, like Giddey, will get paid via free agency in a league increasingly more ‘extension-centric.’
The Bulls, however, cannot ignore the risk. If White plays at an All-Star level, cap-rich teams will chase him. That could force Chicago into paying far above extension numbers or risk losing him outright.
Bulls’ Next Steps
The team’s approach seems clear. They’ll monitor White’s production, gauge his market, and adjust. White has stated no interest in extending early, which keeps the pressure on Chicago.
If he re-signs, the Bulls retain a cornerstone guard. If he bolts, it signals another missed opportunity in team-building. Either way, Coby White’s free agency looms as the pivotal decision that will shape Chicago’s next era.
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