Coby White to Houston? Bulls Guard Emerges as Possible Solution After VanVleet Injury
By Joe Cowley – Sept. 28, 2025, 7:42 p.m.
The injury to Fred VanVleet was more than just a setback for the Houston Rockets — it was a gut punch to a franchise operating in full win-now mode. Losing their veteran floor general to a torn ACL on the eve of training camp leaves Houston scrambling for answers. And as much as the Rockets want to trust their young guards, a team with championship aspirations can’t afford to rely on hope. They need certainty, and that’s where Coby White and the Chicago Bulls could come into play.
It’s a phone call that needs to be made. In fact, some might argue it should have already happened. If Houston hasn’t dialed Chicago yet, shame on Bulls executive vice president Artūras Karnišovas for not pushing the line himself.
The Rockets’ options internally are slim. Amen Thompson has shown flashes of playmaking brilliance, but his inconsistency is a concern. Reed Sheppard, despite a breakout Summer League, is still largely unproven at the NBA level. For a roster that just mortgaged part of its future to acquire Kevin Durant, gambling on development is not an acceptable strategy. As the saying goes, hope is not a plan — and for a contender like Houston, it certainly can’t be.
That’s where White fits in. The 24-year-old guard is coming off a career-best season in Chicago, putting up borderline All-Star numbers while demonstrating maturity as both a scorer and facilitator. He’s in the final year of his contract, has resisted extension talks, and is part of a crowded Bulls backcourt that includes Josh Giddey, Tre Jones, Ayo Dosunmu, Dalen Terry, and Kevin Huerter. Chicago has options, which makes White the most expendable asset.
The framework for a deal is already clear. A package centered around Sheppard and forward Tari Eason heading to Chicago in exchange for White would check boxes for both teams. The Bulls would gain a young scoring guard who fits their rebuilding timeline and a versatile forward in Eason who has shown flashes when given consistent minutes. Meanwhile, Houston would gain immediate backcourt stability and championship experience with White, ensuring Durant isn’t wasting what could be his final elite season.
Financially, the deal makes sense. The Bulls are entering the 2026-27 season with only $77 million in guaranteed contracts and multiple expiring deals, including White, Huerter, Nikola Vučević, Zach Collins, and Jevon Carter. Flexibility has never been more valuable for a franchise trying to recalibrate. The Rockets, meanwhile, are hard-capped at the first apron, carrying Durant on an expiring deal and VanVleet with a $25 million player option. Their margin for error is razor-thin, and urgency is the word of the season.
This isn’t just about numbers, though — it’s about direction. For the Bulls, trading White would signal yet another attempt to reset, this time with Sheppard and Eason as potential foundational pieces. For Houston, acquiring White would be a lifeline, a statement that they won’t let VanVleet’s injury derail their ambitions.
Still, questions remain. Can White handle the pressure of stepping into VanVleet’s shoes on a contender immediately? Would the Bulls be willing to part with a guard just entering his prime, even with the risk of losing him for nothing in free agency? And most importantly, is Houston prepared to sacrifice more young talent to keep its title window alive?
As Bulls camp opens, there are other storylines to monitor. Second-year forward Matas Buzelis continues to draw attention after a strong offseason, adding muscle and preparing to take a leap. Giddey, fresh off a four-year, $100 million extension, faces pressure to improve defensively. Vučević, often a target of criticism despite shooting 40 percent from deep last year, looms as a potential trade chip himself. But none of these subplots matter as much as the looming decision on White.
For Houston, desperation may be the spark that forces action. For Chicago, patience might finally pay off in the form of young assets. Either way, the Rockets’ title hopes and the Bulls’ future could be intertwined more than anyone expected.
And with the clock ticking toward opening night, the question is no longer if the call should be made — but when.
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