Addressing the point guard position was already likely near the top of the Chicago Bulls’ offseason to-do list — and that was before the surprising news late last week that Coby White required surgery on his left shoulder.
After injuring his shoulder during basketball activities away from the team, which resulted in a torn labrum according to NBC Sports Chicago, White is scheduled to be reevaluated in four months, around mid-October. His recovery could take as long as six months.
That puts White’s availability to start the season on time in jeopardy and intensifies the pressure on the Bulls this summer to find answers at the most important position on the floor.
White, 21, is coming off his first opportunity to be the Bulls’ starting point guard, which produced mixed results. In his second NBA season, White started 54 of his 69 games and averaged 15.1 points and 4.8 assists. His performance in the first half of the season was often erratic, and around midseason he was moved to the bench.
White eventually made his way back into the starting lineup after Zach LaVine’s positive COVID-19 test and began to benefit from the addition of center Nikola Vucevic. Over White’s final 18 starts, he averaged nearly 18 points and six assists with improved shooting percentages.
That production was encouraging for the Bulls, who believed White started to turn a corner at season’s end, but his summer is about to be lost to rehab. Even if he can get back on the court by mid-October, there’s no guarantee when he will be 100%. The NBA season is scheduled to tip off Oct.19.
“Coby went through a lot this year, ups and downs,” vice president of basketball operations Arturas Karni ovas said after the season. “There was a lot of growth. He faced adversity from playing the position of point guard. He hasn’t played it before. Learning on the fly. Lack of practice time. Adjusting to the addition of Vooch. That settled his game a little bit to catch-and-shoot. Minimized his turnovers.
“I think it’s a great year for Coby overall. I think he’s going to have a big summer. He knows exactly what he needs to work on.”
This is an important summer for the Bulls, who are trying to take the next step toward becoming a legitimate playoff contender after missing the postseason for the fourth consecutive year. It’s no coincidence that during this span they also have been searching for their point guard of the future, with little progress.
Quick, name the best point guard LaVine has been paired with in the backcourt during his tenure with the Bulls.
The Bulls believed Kris Dunn was the answer when they acquired him in the trade for Jimmy Butler the night of the 2017 NBA draft. They tried out Cameron Payne to disastrous results before his sudden emergence with the Phoenix Suns. Tomá Satoransk signed as a free agent in 2019 and has been solid, if unspectacular, in his two seasons with the team. And while White has shown signs of promise, he is clearly not a natural lead facilitator.
Meanwhile, the NBA playoffs have reinforced the importance of having a strong point guard.
Consider what the addition of Chris Paul meant for the Suns, who won 19 games in 2018-19 and advanced to the Western Conference finals Sunday night. Or how the New York Knicks’ ascension began once they traded for Derrick Rose. The Washington Wizards tapped into the potential of center Daniel Gafford after acquiring him from the Bulls at the trade deadline, and it was clear how much he benefited from playing with a skilled point guard in Russell Westbrook.
Since taking over the Bulls a little more than a year ago, Karni ovas has not made any moves to address the position, but it’s no secret he has explored his options. At the trade deadline in March, for instance, the Bulls were involved in talks surrounding New Orleans Pelicans guard Lonzo Ball, who will be a restricted free agent this offseason.
The Bulls should be in position to explore the market again this summer.
They could re-engage in a move for Ball, depending on his price tag. Dennis Schröder, Goran Dragic and Spencer Dinwiddie, if he declines his player option, could be unrestricted free agents. A few talented veterans such as Paul, Kyle Lowry and Mike Conley could be on the open market, although they likely would have suitors ready to contend for a championship. Or the Bulls could try to work out a trade for someone such as the Boston Celtics’ Kemba Walker.
Maybe the Bulls will get some draft lottery luck and retain their first-round pick, which they owe to the Orlando Magic if it’s outside the top four. Or they could opt to keep Satoransk and add more solid veterans to hold down the position and play alongside White when he recovers.
Even if the Bulls still expect White to be a significant part of their future and their plans for the 2021-22 season, it’s hard to see them reaching the heights they want to achieve next season unless they can address their needs at point guard. White’s uncertain status should solidify adding a point guard as the team’s top offseason priority.
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