Timberwolves Face Challenges in Pursuing Coby White
The Minnesota Timberwolves’ interest in acquiring Bulls point guard Coby White appears to be fraught with complications. With the Chicago Bulls struggling through a rough patch, having lost seven consecutive games to drop to a disappointing 9-14 record after a promising 6-1 start, the timing of a potential trade raises questions. White, who has only recently returned from a calf injury that sidelined him for the first 16 games of the season, may not be readily available for a deal.
Concerns Over Free Agency Status
A significant hurdle in the Timberwolves’ pursuit of White is his impending free agency. According to sources, Minnesota has expressed genuine interest in the 25-year-old guard. However, White’s upcoming free agency complicates trade discussions. “He’s making $12.8 million in the final year of his deal and is widely expected to seek a major raise this summer,” a Wolves source stated. This uncertainty transforms a potential trade into a “rental” scenario, which could drastically lower his trade value and widen the negotiating gap between the two franchises.
If the Timberwolves were to trade for White without securing his services long-term, the rationale for giving up assets like Donte DiVincenzo and a promising young player—such as Terrence Shannon Jr. or Rob Dillingham—becomes questionable. Such a deal would likely entail sacrificing a 2024 first-round pick along with DiVincenzo, who is earning around $12 million this season and has a $12.5 million salary due next year.
Financial Implications of a Trade
Coby White’s potential salary demands could further complicate matters for the Timberwolves. NBA insider Jake Fischer suggested that White might be aiming for a contract exceeding $30 million per year. If that figure materializes, it could hinder Minnesota’s ability to maintain its core roster while remaining compliant with the NBA’s luxury tax thresholds.
Next season, the Timberwolves face considerable financial commitments with key players like Anthony Edwards ($48.9 million), Rudy Gobert ($36.5 million), Julius Randle ($33.3 million), Jaden McDaniels ($26.2 million), and Naz Reid ($23.2 million). With these five players already accounting for more than $168 million in salary for the 2026-27 season, the franchise is perilously close to the estimated luxury tax first apron, projected to be between $195 million and $200 million, with the second apron ranging from $207 million to $222 million.
Current State of Trade Discussions
As for the current state of negotiations, there seems to be a disconnect in perspectives. While one insider remarked that “nothing is cooking” between the Bulls and Timberwolves at this moment, it was suggested that an ongoing slump for Minnesota might spark renewed trade discussions as the early February deadline approaches. Contrarily, another source indicated that the Timberwolves are eager to avoid waiting until February, signaling urgency in their pursuit of White.
As the Timberwolves prepare for their Friday night matchup against the Bulls, Coby White’s performance will be under scrutiny. He is currently averaging 23.8 points, 6.2 assists, and 3.0 rebounds while shooting 44.4% from the field and 32.7% from beyond the arc. Last season, he averaged 20.4 points with a 37% three-point shooting efficiency.
Injury Concerns for the Timberwolves
Adding to the Timberwolves’ woes is the uncertain status of Mike Conley, who is dealing with right Achilles tendinopathy. This type of injury can linger, potentially elevating the roles of Bones Hyland and Rob Dillingham off the bench until Conley returns to full health. The Timberwolves have not provided a timeline for Conley’s recovery, leaving his status day-to-day.
As the Timberwolves navigate these complexities surrounding Coby White and their point guard situation, the coming days will be critical in determining their path forward.
