Coby White may be the next Bulls player headed for a standoff with the front office. According to Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports, the 25-year-old is expected to bypass an extension and aim for a massive payday in 2026.
“Coby White, to my understanding, is going to be eligible for more money as a free agent next year,” reported Fischer. “The talk around the league has already been that Coby White is going to be seeking even north of the $30 million average annual value that Josh Giddey has been. I’m not expecting an extension for Coby White at this juncture.”
There’s a high demand for young, up-and-coming point guards right now, and it makes sense that Coby White will command so much money. In a world where guys like Jonathan Kuminga, Cam Thomas, and Josh Giddey are seeking or hoping for deals in the $30 million range, it’s not overselling it to say he may be on that level.
While it’s impossible to say which teams will have the cap space by then, only the Lakers are known to be financially flexible as of now, and it could lead to some interesting negotiations in the summer. As much as Chicago wants to keep White, they may not be willing to meet his demands.
The Bulls already opened up their wallet this summer to pay Josh Giddey, who recently agreed to a four-year, $100 million extension. That was just one year after re-signing Patrick Williams to a massive five-year, $90 million deal. That’s not even counting Nikola Vucevic, who is owed $21.9 million next season.
The good news is, Vuc is on the last year of his deal, and the Bulls could let him go to prioritize retaining their young core. Next summer, it’ll be Coby White’s turn to cash in. The 25-year-old point guard has one year left on his contract for $12.9 million, which means he’s headed for free agency unless he works out an agreement with the Bulls.
While White is not considered a star-level player in the NBA, he’s a core member of the Bulls for running the offense and providing an instant scoring spark. In 2024-25, he averaged 20.4 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 4.5 assists in 74 games for the Bulls. Over the past two seasons, he’s served as their starting point guard, making plays and closing games with his versatility.
To lose Coby White now would be a devastating blow for a franchise that has no clear direction. Until they find a better option, the Bulls are better off keeping White, even if it means parting with Nikola Vucevic. Chicago must rebuild from the ground up, and that means gathering as much young talent as it can.
For now, the Bulls have time on their side, but the clock is ticking. Coby has earned the right to explore his value on the open market, and unless Chicago is prepared to match the $30 million threshold, they risk losing a cornerstone guard just as he’s entering his prime. Whether it’s the Bulls or another suitor, White is headed for a major payday, and this season will go a long way in proving just how much he’s worth.
