The Chicago Bulls are preparing for potentially active trade negotiations before Thursday’s NBA trade deadline, with guards Ayo Dosunmu and Coby White reportedly drawing strong trade interest. Both players, who bring valuable skill sets and positional flexibility, have emerged as key assets the Bulls may move as they look to shape their roster.
Uncertainty Surrounds White’s Future Destination
NBA insider Jake Fischer of The Stein Line highlighted the expectation that both White and Dosunmu could be traded soon, adding that he finds it challenging to identify a clear landing spot for White. One significant obstacle is the Minnesota Timberwolves’ hesitancy to acquire White, fearing they might lose him to free agency in the offseason if they commit to a trade.
Discussions About Dosunmu Involving Indiana Pacers
League sources told Fischer there have been “some tangible discussion” between the Bulls and the Indiana Pacers regarding a possible swap, which would send Dosunmu to Indiana in exchange for wing Bennedict Mathurin. This potential deal reflects how the Bulls are seeking to add wing depth while addressing their backcourt dynamics.
Recent Trades Increase Backcourt Depth, Prompting Potential Moves
The Bulls have been quite active recently, participating in a three-team trade with the Detroit Pistons and Minnesota Timberwolves that sent forward Kevin Hurter to Detroit and brought guard Jaden Ivey from Detroit and veteran Mike Conley Jr. from Minnesota to Chicago. Shortly after, Chicago traded center Nikola Vučević to the Boston Celtics for guard Anfernee Simons and a future second-round pick.
These transactions have significantly reinforced the Bulls’ guard rotation, creating a crowded backcourt and heightening the possibility of moving either White or Dosunmu to balance the roster and future assets.
Profiles of Coby White and Ayo Dosunmu
Coby White, now 25, was the seventh overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft out of North Carolina and has played his entire seven-year career with Chicago. His career averages include 15.4 points, 3.9 assists, 3.7 rebounds, and 2.3 three-pointers per game. Despite missing considerable time due to injuries this season, White has remained productive when healthy, averaging 18.6 points, 4.7 assists, 3.7 rebounds, and 2.5 three-pointers per game.
Ayo Dosunmu, 26, came from Illinois as a second-round pick in 2021 and is a Chicago native. He has spent five seasons with the Bulls and holds career averages of 10.9 points, 3.3 assists, 2.9 rebounds, and 1.2 three-pointers per game. Currently enjoying a career-best season in 2025-26, Dosunmu is averaging 15.0 points and 1.9 three-pointers per game while providing 3.6 assists and 3.0 rebounds. Mostly utilized off the bench, he has been an efficient scorer, shooting 51.4 percent from the field and a career-high 45.1 percent from beyond the arc.
Trade Potential and Implications for the Bulls
Both White and Dosunmu offer versatility to a championship-contending team, able to contribute as starters or impact players off the bench. Although the Bulls currently hold a playoff play-in position in the Eastern Conference with a 24-27 record, retaining both guards poses a risk since both are approaching free agency. Chicago faces the difficult choice of either attempting to compete for a postseason spot or trading them now to avoid losing them without compensation during the offseason.
