RealGM Basketball Wiretap

14 December 2025

• Coby White Prefers To Stay With Bulls

  Chicago Bulls guard Coby White is no stranger to be involved in trade rumors. Recently, White was rumored to be a target of the Minnesota Timberwolves. For his part, the veteran combo guard said he prefers to stay with the Bulls.

  "I love being here. I love being on this team. But I understand it's a business and it's different going into unrestricted free agency," White said. "They have to do what they think is best for the organization. It's out of my control."

  White is making $12.8 million in the final year of his deal with Chicago. That figure is considered too low for the Bulls to extend White off of, so the versatile guard is expected to become an unrestricted free agent this coming summer. If Arturas Karnisovas feels White could walk for nothing, it would be the Bulls best interest to trade him by the trade deadline.

• Domantas Sabonis Remains Patient With Kings Amid Potential Interest From Wizards, Suns, Bulls

  The Washington Wizards, Phoenix Suns and Chicago Bulls have shown significant interest in acquiring Domantas Sabonis from the Sacramento Kings in the past and remain on his short list of possible suitors, according to league sources.

  However, Sabonis is prepared to remain in Sacramento for the foreseeable future. The 29-year-old center has heeded general manager Scott Perry's call for patience amid the Kings' rebuilding efforts.

  Sabonis' contract runs through the 2027-28 season with $94 million owed over the next two seasons. The magnitude of the financial commitment inevitably limits his trade market.

  League sources say Sabonis has accepted Sacramento's current direction. The center understands the franchise's long-term approach under first-year general manager Perry.

  Sabonis has been sidelined since November 19 with a partial tear of his left meniscus. He was scheduled to be re-evaluated within the next week.

  The injury adds another layer of complexity to any potential trade discussions. Teams interested in acquiring Sabonis must account for his health status and rehabilitation timeline.

  Sacramento has opened its roster for business amid a disappointing 6-19 start. The Kings sit last in the Western Conference and face questions about their veteran core.

  Perry has signaled commitment to retaining draft picks for the rebuild. That stance could keep veterans like Sabonis, Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan and Malik Monk in Sacramento past the February 5 trade deadline. DeRozan is signed through 2026-27, while Monk has a player option ahead of 2027-28. Sabonis is signed through 2028.

  The general manager made a plea for organizational patience regarding his long-term vision. Perry hopes retained draft assets will play a pivotal role in building a sustainable winner. The Kings have only moved up in the lotteryfour times with the most recent being in 2022 when they selected Keegan Murray at No. 2.

• Wolves Express Interest With Bulls On Coby White

  The Minnesota Timberwolves have legitimate interest in Chicago Bulls point guard Coby White, though his looming unrestricted free agency presents a significant obstacle to any potential deal.

  The Chicago Sun-Times first reported Minnesota's inquiry about White this week. Jon Krawczynski reported there is "nothing cooking" in terms of active trade talks between the teams.

  White is making $12.8 million in the final year of his contract. The 25-year-old guard is widely expected to seek a major raise this summer as an unrestricted free agent.

  A Wolves source confirmed legitimate interest in White. However, the uncertainty surrounding his next contract creates a "rental" situation that significantly lowers his trade value. The Wolves don't currently have any tradeable first round picks, but they do have three swaps available.

  Minnesota president of basketball operations Tim Connelly has established himself as one of the NBA's most aggressive executives. The Timberwolves pursued Kevin Durant this summer before he was traded to the Houston Rockets.

  Minnesota also monitored the Ja Morant situation with the Memphis Grizzlies. That move appears very unlikely at this point.

  The Timberwolves started 10-8 after reaching consecutive Western Conference Finals. Minnesota has won five of their past six games and stands at 15-9, sixth in the Western Conference.

  The slow start mirrors last season's trajectory. Minnesota began 8-10 and stood at 13-11 through 24 games before winning 17 of their final 20 contests.

  The Timberwolves' due-diligence approach will likely generate numerous trade rumors before the February 5 deadline. Most speculation involves point guard additions to support franchise cornerstone Anthony Edwards.

• Bulls Fielding Interest On Coby White

  The Chicago Bulls are expected to be active during trade season. Chicago has several veteran players on expiring contracts that they could use to acquire long-term fits, or future assets. One player the Bulls are receiving interest in is guard Coby White.

  There isn't a sense on how willing Chicago is to move White at this point. White is on an expiring $12.8 million contract this season. That figure is considered too low for the veteran combo guard to considering an extension. That means White will be an unrestricted free agent this summer.

  The Bulls recently inked Josh Giddey to a four-year, $100 million contract to lead their backcourt. Ayo Dosunmu is also set to be an unrestricted free agent this offseason. If Chicago believes White may receive offers for more money than they are willing to pay, Arturas Karnisovas may choose to trade the guard vs losing him for nothing.

• Bulls Expected To Have Trade Interest In Jonathan Kuminga

  The Chicago Bulls had interest in Jonathan Kuminga during his restricted free agency and Marc Stein reports that he has been advised to monitor them to revisit that interest once he becomes trade eligible on January 15th. Kuminga is expected to be a prominent name in trade rumors ahead of the February 5th NBA trade deadline.

  Kuminga signed a two-year $48.5 million deal with a team option before the start of the season after a prolonged restricted free agency with the Golden State Warriors.

  After beginning the season strong as a starter, Kuminga has again fallen out of Steve Kerr's rotation behind the likes of Will Richard and Gui Santos on the Warriors' depth chart.

  Kuminga was previously on the Bulls' radar as the Warriors discussed trades previously for Alex Caruso, Zach LaVine and Nikola Vucevic.

  Kuminga is averaging 12.4 points and 6.3 rebounds in 25.7 minutes across 17 games.

• Noa Essengue To Miss Remainder Of Season With Shoulder Injury

  Chicago Bulls rookie forward Noa Essengue will miss the remainder of the regular season due to a left shoulder injury. Essengue was injured in a recent G League game and was initially diagnoses with a shoulder contusion. Now, it turns out that Essengue needs shoulder surgery and will be out for six to seven months.

  The injury brings a disappointing early end to Essengue's rookie season. The 6-foot-8 forward was the 12th overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. Essengue appeared in just two NBA games, totaling only six minutes this season.

  In four G League games with the Windy City Bulls, Essengue averaged 23 points, 8.2 rebounds and a steal and a block per game. The still 18-years-old native of France is expected to be ready for the start of next season's training camp.

• Bulls Model Offense After Pacers' Fast-Paced System

  The Chicago Bulls transformed their offensive system after studying the Indiana Pacers' run to the NBA Finals last season. Billy Donovan implemented a 14-second shot clock during player-driven workouts in Miami before training camp to accelerate the team's pace. The Bulls jumped from 28th in the NBA in pace in 2023-24 to second in 2024-25.

  "They stole our mojo," a Pacers team source told ESPN. "They said before the season they were going to emulate our play style. Giddey playing the role as Tyrese. The fast pace, the late-game comebacks, wearing teams down."

  The Bulls looked at their final 20 games of last season when they went 14-6. They then studied the Pacers' roster construction and playing style built around multiple ball handlers and ball movement. Chicago saw a blueprint for what they could become if they followed the same course.

  "That's who we have to be," Donovan said. "We have to be better than the sum of our parts."

  Chicago acquired Josh Giddey from Oklahoma City in June 2024 to serve as the engine of their new system. The Bulls envisioned Giddey playing a similar role to Pacers All-Star Tyrese Haliburton as a pass-first playmaker. Multiple Bulls team sources acknowledged the similarities between what they are building and Indiana's construction.

  However, sources cited two key differences between the franchises. The Pacers played stingier defense, ranking 13th in defensive efficiency last season. Indiana also paired a second star, Pascal Siakam, alongside Haliburton to reach the Finals.

  "They have Haliburton, who is an All-Star, and they have Siakam," one Bulls source told ESPN. "If Giddey can develop into an All-Star and be what Hali was, when do we pull the trigger to get our Siakam?"

  Giddey is nearly averaging a triple-double this season with 20.5 points, 10.0 rebounds and 9.3 assists. He is shooting a career-best 39.2 percent from three-point range. Chicago has eight players averaging double figures and ranks second in bench scoring.

  The Bulls started 6-1 this season with a top-10 pace and ranked seventh in offense and 10th in defense. Since then they have fallen to 9-10 and rank 23rd in both offense and defense. Chicago is giving up an average of 56.5 points in the paint during that stretch, third-most in the NBA.

  "If you look at the teams, it's similar personnel," Giddey told ESPN. "Tyrese obviously is an unbelievable player, but they don't have that one superstar. They've got a lot of really, really solid, good players. They defend collectively, and that's an area we need to get better at."

  Donovan emphasized that Indiana's physicality on defense often gets overlooked in discussions about their pace. The Bulls coach said Chicago's defensive evolution must continue to match what the Pacers accomplished. The team finished with an identical 39-43 record last season despite the pace transformation.

• Bulls Have Had Internal Discussions About Trading For Anthony Davis

  The Chicago Bulls have held internal discussions about acquiring Dallas Mavericks star Anthony Davis, sources told ESPN. However, team sources said the Bulls will not sacrifice any of their young core to execute such a deal until the team is closer to contention. The Bulls believe Davis could help their rim protection and defensive interior issues.

  Davis is from Chicago and the Bulls have three players on the roster who grew up in the area. Ayo Dosunmu, Jevon Carter and Matas Buzelis are all from the Chicago region, which sources indicated is not a coincidence. The Bulls view their local connections as valuable assets in building the franchise.

  "I don't think going out and chasing X megastar is the way to proceed -- at least today," one source told ESPN.

  Chicago owns its first-round draft picks for the next seven years plus an additional 2026 top-14-protected first from Portland. The Bulls can trade up to five first-round picks and five second-round picks. The team could have close to $70 million in cap room next offseason, according to ESPN's Bobby Marks.

  Chicago still sees Josh Giddey, Coby White and Matas Buzelis as its future core, team sources said. Rookie Noa Essengue, the No. 12 pick in the 2025 draft who does not turn 19 until later this month, is also viewed as part of that foundation. The Bulls know they need to continue adding to that core and are prepared to do so.

• Coby White To Make Season Debut Sunday Night

  Chicago Bulls guard Coby White will make his season debut on Sunday night. White will play his return to the Bulls lineup at the Utah Jazz. White will be on a minutes restriction and will not play back-to-back games in this initial part of his return.

  The Bulls combo guard had a lengthy recovery from a strained calf that he suffered in the leadup to the season. White was Chicago's leading scorer last season at 20.4 points per game. White also averaged 4.5 assists, 3.7 rebounds and nearly a steal per game.

• Anthony Davis Could Have Interest In Playing For Bulls

  John Wall gave some intel on a possible next team for Anthony Davis when he was a recent guest on FanDuel TV's Run It Back. Wall said that it's been floating around that Davis would like to play for his hometown Chicago Bulls, if he's traded from the Dallas Mavericks.

  "You can't believe everything you hear on the news, but you be hearing that he wants to go back to Chicago and see what's going on," Wall said. "So, I think they're trying to blow it up and build around Cooper Flagg and get rid of some of the other pieces, but they are one of those dark horse teams if they can stay healthy - keep AD there and let Kyrie come back. I feel like they could've been a team in the West, but I think with Nico Harrison's firing they might end up going in a different direction."

  Davis makes $54.1 million this season, and the Mavericks are tight against their second-apron hard cap. The Bulls could offer long-term salary relief by building a trade package around the expiring contracts of Nikola Vucevic, Kevin Hurter, Zach Collins and others.