Chicago Bulls: 3 players with better upside after Jim Boylen’s departure

3. Coby White

I debated putting Wendell Carter Jr. in this spot because I really would love him to be moved to a permanent power forward spot under a new coach, but I think Coby White has more riding on him in terms of his role.

Coby White turned out to be an explosive scorer off the bench after he was selected with the seventh overall pick in last year’s draft. Like a lot of rookies usually do, he had his weaknesses and struggled at times with shooting.

However, similar to LaVine and Markkanen during February 2019, White went on an absolute tear in the weeks leading up the stoppage in play. Since the All-Star break, the former Tar Heel averaged close to a 25-4-4 split in the 10 games he played, including nabbing a win in his first and only start of the season. He also averaged nearly 41 percent from beyond the arc during that stretch.

Headed into the 2019-2020 season, it was clear that the Bulls needed a point guard who could run the offense and get the ball to LaVine. While Tomas Satoransky did a serviceable job, the staff, fans, and TV crew for the Bulls would be left to wonder why the Czech native wasn’t as aggressive as he could be.

With all that happening, it was no wonder that people were nearly screaming for the rookie guard out of North Carolina to get a shot with the starters. Boylen wouldn’t budge.

It was only with another slew of Bulls injuries and being absolutely awful as a team that White got his shot as a starter, leading the Bulls to a win against the Cavaliers in what would be the last game of their season.

With the pandemic stopping everything on the court for the Bulls, White’s growth and assumed permanent placement in the starting lineup has to wait until next season.

Though it might be unfair, most fans will probably make a judgment call on Coby White’s place in the organization after the draft and next season’s performance.

I, for one, would love to see him pair with a coach that could help develop his playmaking to combine with his speed and scoring ability, making him a De’Aaron Fox-type of a point guard.

White was one of the guys on the team who was often outspoken with his relationship regarding and supporting Jim Boylen, but getting a better coach could send Coby to another level. With Boylen gone, White has All-Star potential.

If everything goes well, his pairing with LaVine could result in a Lillard–McCollum type of backcourt.