In a bit of a surprise, Bulls head coach Billy Donovan told reporters that guard Coby White is set to return from an injury absence on Wednesday against the Celtics, per K.C. Johnson of Chicago Sports Network (Twitter link).
White has been on the shelf with a right ankle bone bruise since January 19.
Chicago is in the midst of a three-game road trip. As recently as Tuesday, Donovan had expected White to at least miss the Boston clash, as he apparently has been dealing with some pain in the ankle fairly recently.
All-Star shooting guard Zach LaVine, meanwhile, will be away from the team Wednesday while he awaits the birth of his third child. According to Julia Poe of The Chicago Tribune, LaVine may end up missing the Bulls’ entire three-game road trip, which runs through Sunday.
The 20-27 Bulls are currently the No. 10 seed in the Eastern Conference, just one game ahead of Philadelphia for the East’s final play-in tournament spot. The team has gone 2-2 in its four games without White.
The 6’5″ vet is averaging 18.2 points, 4.7 assists and 3.4 rebounds through 40 healthy contests this season. White has posted a .437/.364/.874 shooting line.
The 24-year-old almost instantly outperformed the three-year, $36MM free agent deal he inked with Chicago ahead of the 2023/24 season as a restricted free agent. Provided he stays healthy, White could be in line for a major raise when that agreement expires in 2026.
The Bulls are planning for Zach LaVine to get traded by next week. He isn’t just expected to miss the game tonight, but to miss at least the next 2 games after tonight. That is very convenient ahead of the trade deadline to keep him off of the court. They don’t expect him back.
Zach is playing well. Good thing Bulls waited till this TD to move him. Let the tanking begin.
Lakers ———
First I want to say. Who gives up on a 23yr old. What’s in it for you here. Teams give up. Cause they change coaches. Cause team direction changes. Cause they fail the player.
EonADS this for you. I know you will see it. Even though you may disagree.
And all others who can’t understand…..
I’ve said Patrick Williams can be another OG. Seems nobody can see it. Even if he becomes 75% of what OG is today. How is that not worth nurturing. The Bulls suck. Williams got nothing to do with that. Just like they failed Markkannen. I’m telling you they are failing Williams. And I was the only one backing Markkannen back then too. You can search it.
OG was drafted on a good team. So he was allowed to develop and learn. It lets you feel your way up the NBA. Playing just 20 mins first two yrs. And he played on a championship team his 2nd yr.
Williams was asked to save Bulls from his first yr. At 19 yrs old he played 29 mins. He did well his first two yrs. Unfortunately Bulls only got worse. So since Williams is not MJ. Bulls ineptitude gets blamed on him. Instead of steadily making him better. They steadily kept him the same. Cause Bulls steadily got worse.
OG stats as a 23 yr old after 4yrs ——
26 mins, 15.2/31 FG% .49, FT% .69, 3pt% .37
4 reb, 1.3 ast, 1 stl, 1 blk, 9.8 pts
Plus after 4 yrs he showed he had potential to be a top defender. Something most here don’t watch or understand. How can you call yourself a fan. If you don’t value Defensive ability. In a 2 Way Sport.
Williams stats at 23 yrs old. His 5th yr in NBA ….
27.6 mins, 3.6/8 FG% .453, FT% .80, 3pt% .40
4.1 Reb, 2.2 ast, 1 stl, 1 blk, 9.6 pts
I don’t know about you. But I see the same player .
Omg. Omg. . And Williams also a D first guy. That Bulls still don’t understand. If Williams can do this. On a dysfunctional team. A team that has ruined him more than helped him. How can they possibly have the same stats at 23 yrs old. I know most of you don’t get it or care. So I’m speaking to the ones who do. On a Cavs team. Or on any winning team. He will only be better. Cause he will appreciate where he is. IMO he is perfect and cheap for Cavs, Lakers, Kings. He will only add to those teams and make them better. Williams needs to get away from Bulls. Especially since all they see is an 18 mill player.
OG is the highest paid Knick in history. If Williams can be 75% of that . He is well worth it.
OG stats today ……. This year at 27 yrs old.
36.6 mins, .476% FG, .80% FT, .351% 3pt,
4.8 Reb, 2.1 ast, 1.5 all, 1 blk, 16.3 pts
Why wouldn’t Williams stats be better at 34 mins on a playoff contender. Where they only expect him to help win ……imo he will thrive on that Cavs team .
Oh and I hope you watched the Celtics today ..
Williams help Tatum to 16 pts on 5/15 shooting. Like I’ve been saying. His strength is D. Can be another OG.
30 mins, 16 pts, 54.5% FG, 3pt% 42.9,
16 pts, 7 Reb, 4 ast, 1 blk, 1 stl. Stat filler and excellent Defense. Doesn’t need the ball.
Another OG …….. I can see it.
ok you need to b pit down the gummies man
The Bulls traded Lauri Markanen and the pick that became Franz Wagner because they thought Patrick Williams was gonna be the next Kawhi Leonard. They attempted to build a franchise around him before he played a single game. He ain’t that guy. He has all the size, dimensions and athleticism to tease you. That got him a contract extension he absolutely did not deserve. Now, the Bulls desperately need to rebuild. Honestly, despite his failures, he is still young enough and under contract that he should probably stay while LaVine, Vucevic, Giddey (can’t shoot or defend) exit.
They traded Markkannen cause they couldn’t see it. Williams doesn’t have a handle. So was never going to be Kawhi. I guess you missed the part about OG …..
The Caruso Giddey trade is depressing. Had a perfect opportunity to get something good. OKC demoted Giddey. Understand that Giddey does do some good things (lot of rebounds and some good passes) but Giddey doesn’t really make a difference. Bulls already had White, LaVine, Dosunmu, Ball and Carter.
I agree with knickerbockerAI. Williams cannot grow playing a undersized PF. I said when he was drafted that he should be a SF. They don’t need to trade him. Plus EON is always wrong so yeah
Knick, I read your entire dissertation and as a huge OG fan since the day he got drafted, I have to say that I agree with you that the Bulls have mismanaged Williams completely but I just don’t see him as an OG type. I think his scoring ceiling might be a bit higher, but he’s not got enough drive and energy to be the guy on D that OG is. OGs coverage skills are way better, and you can put him on dang near anyone and he’ll get the job done. But 75% of OG is a bench player, not a starter. Totally agree with you about Markkanan. I still can’t believe how they screwed up that one….other than it’s the Bulls and that’s what they do. I was stumping for Markkanan from day 1. He should have been a foundation piece to build around for the next ten years. I don’t think Williams ceiling was near as high as Markkanens but that’s two players they should have been able to develop into building blocks or guys that you use to bring in superstars to take you to the next level. Instead, the Bulls continually blow these opportunities and net pennies on the dollar time and time again. If I was a Bulls fan I wouldn’t pay five cents for a ticket to watch them and I would refuse to wear their merch. Easily top 5 worst run franchises in the NBA. And I think that’s being generous.
Williams should try to be a player such as Luguentz Dort for OKC. A physical tough lock down defender who can occasionally score a little.
OG was drafted at 23 and and veterans around him to grow like Lowry/Kawhi and others. Plus he came into a team that was a playoff contender for majority of his tenure in Toronto. Polio was drafted 4th overall and is the 2nd coming of Michael Kidd Gilchrist.
MKG in 8 years averages 8,4 PPG 5.4 RPG 1.2 APG 0.7 SPG and 0.7 BPG in 24.6 MPG
Polio thus far averages 9.6 PPG 4.1 RPG 1.4 APG 0.9 SPG 0.7 BPG in 27.6 MPG.
Let’s also not forget he was consistently hurt and was plagued with foot injuries before he signed that deal.
OG comp is hilarious when Polio is more MKG reincarnated for this team.