After missing the playoffs for the second straight season, the Chicago Bulls appear to be inching closer to a rebuild. This summer, the team lost veteran center Andre Drummond and traded guard Alex Caruso to the Oklahoma City Thunder for Josh Giddey. However, easily their biggest loss of the offseason was star DeMar DeRozan. After three seasons in Chicago, DeRozan joined the Sacramento Kings via a sign-and-trade. With the California native going back home, the Bulls are losing more than just their best player on the court. They are also losing a veteran leader and a great locker room presence. However, without him on the roster anymore, it seems that another Bulls player is prepared to take that step–Coby White.
Recently, White spoke about taking on a new leadership role. Furthermore, he credited DeRozan for “always [leading] by example” and said he will use his experience as a leader for the Bulls.
“DeMar always led by example. He wasn’t always the loudest guy in the room or most talkative guy in the room. But if we had a meeting, he was early. If we had a bus time, he was one of the first ones there. He was never late to a meeting. He was always ready to go. When the game came, it was always about business,” White said. “And the way he took me, Dos, DT (Dalen Terry), Pat under his wing, it shed light on the things that I’m looking forward to when I get older. And that can start now for me.”
LaVine, who will likely remain with the Bulls heading into the 2024-25 season, White is Chicago’s longest-tenured player. White is fresh off the best season of his career. Last year, he averaged 19.1 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 5.1 assists per game. All these numbers are career highs for White.
Additionally, he finished second in Most Improved Player voting behind Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey. Despite not winning the award, White received a public endorsement from legendary guard Chris Paul, who called the Bulls guard “a winner.”
Leave a Reply