An uncommon situation unfolded involving the Chicago Bulls, Charlotte Hornets, and guard Coby White when a trade was modified after the NBA deadline had closed. The adjustment occurred because Charlotte discovered an injury to White upon conducting his physical exam after the deadline had passed.
Pre-Deadline Agreement and Post-Deadline Evaluation
Prior to the deadline, the Bulls and Hornets had agreed to trade Coby White to Charlotte, contingent upon his passing a medical exam. White traveled to Charlotte for the required physical, but by the time he arrived, the deadline had already expired. During the examination, Charlotte found that White was dealing with a left calf injury that would sideline him for a period, according to Fred Katz of The Athletic.
Modification of Trade Compensation
Following the injury revelation, both teams revisited the trade terms. Initially, Chicago was set to receive three second-round picks in exchange. However, after the medical findings, this was revised, and the Bulls will now obtain just two second-round picks: the New York Knicks’ 2031 pick and the Denver Nuggets’ 2031 pick.
White’s Status and Expected Contribution
White will prioritize recovery before making his Charlotte debut. Injuries have limited him to 29 games this season, yet when healthy, his production has been notable. The guard is averaging 18.6 points and 4.7 assists per game, demonstrating his value when on the court.
“During the physical, Charlotte discovered that White is dealing with a left calf injury that will force him to miss time, according to Fred Katz of The Athletic.” – Fred Katz, The Athletic
The Bulls and Hornets amended the Coby White trade after a physical showed White had a left calf injury and would have to miss time, league sources tell @TheAthleticNBA. Hornets are now sending two second-rounders (2031 NYK, 2031 DEN) to Chicago instead of three.
— Fred Katz (@FredKatz) February 7, 2026
