There was little expectation that Chicago Bulls guard Coby White would re-sign this offseason. The team’s leading scorer is entering the final year of the three-year, $36 million contract he signed in 2023. Under league rules, he could only be extended for up to four years and roughly $89 million—a deal capped at 140 percent of his final season’s salary or the NBA’s estimated average salary (whichever is greater) with annual raises limited to eight percent.
Considering the NBA’s average salary is projected to be $14.1 million according to Basketball Reference, the final season of White’s salary is roughly $1.3 million less. Thus, the 140 percent would be taken from the league average, figuring White’s first-year salary of a projected extension to be $19.8 million—more than $10 million short of his desired pact.
Yes, you read that right. White is reportedly seeking $30 million per season. NBA insider Jake Fischer first reported it earlier this month, and given that it was assumed White wouldn’t be re-signing this offseason, that projected figure wasn’t exactly a surprise.
The Bulls will have to wait until after the season to re-sign White
Most recently, Chicago Sun-Times reporter Joe Cowley shared perhaps the most confirming detail about White’s looming contract situation, writing, “White is in the final year of his current contract and has informed the team several times that he will not be taking an extension until he hits free agency next summer…”
Finally, the speculation can be put to rest. Not that anyone seriously believed White would re-sign for less than $90 million—especially after Josh Giddey recently signed a $100 million deal. Now, the focus can shift to whether White might be traded or if he’s a player worth committing a significant sum of money to in the future.
Neither scenario is likely to play out until at least midway through next season. Expect teams to call the Bulls, probing White’s status regardless of his production. If the sixth-year guard continues to improve and reaches an All-Star level, Chicago will likely be more inclined to offer him a long-term deal. Conversely, if his stats remain near his previous two-year averages, the Bulls may look to extract as much value as possible before he hits the open market.
Several factors will influence White’s looming extension, but one thing is certain: he won’t be re-signing this season. When the restrictions on his extension are lifted, both White and the Bulls will face a decision.
