RealGM Basketball Wiretap

01 May 2025

• Coby White Likely To Wait For Bigger Deal With Bulls Vs Extension This Summer

  Chicago Bulls guard Coby White continued his emergence as one of the better young guards in the NBA last season. That has many wondering what White's next contract could like, after he signed a team-friendly three-year, $36 million contract in 2023.

  White's salary for next season is $12.9 million. Because that figure is less than the NBA's average player salary, White would be eligible for a projected four-year, $89 million extension this offseason.

  However, an average annual value of just over $22 million isn't enough for a player of White's stature. But Bulls fans shouldn't panic and assume that means White is leaving town. Instead, White and the Chicago are expected to wait until the 2026 offseason to sign a new contract, when White would be eligible for a contract in the range of $40 million per season.

• Bulls To Look To Trade Nikola Vuceivc This Offseason

  The Chicago Bulls are again expected to explore trading veteran center Nikola Vucevic this offseason. Vucevic is heading into the final year of the three-year extension he signed with Chicago in 2023.

  Vucevic has one year remaining on his deal at $21.5 million for 2025-26. The Bulls reportedly were close to trading the veteran center to the Golden State Warriors at the trade deadline, but couldn't reach a final agreement on a deal. As he has an expiring contract, it's expected Vucevic could be easier to trade this offseason or ahead of the 2026 trade deadline.

  If Chicago trade Vucevic, it's expected that veteran backup Zach Collins would be installed as the team's new starting center. The Bulls could also look to fill the center position through the 2025 NBA Draft.

• Josh Giddey Expected To Play Through Hand Injury In Play-In Tournament

  Chicago Bulls guard Josh Giddey is dealing with a muscle injury in his right hand. The injury causes pain and tightness for Giddey, especially when making certain movements with his right hand and arm. But the versatile Bulls guard says it won't keep him out of Wednesday's Play-In Tournament game against the Miami Heat.

  "I'm good to go," Giddey said. "Play-in game, must-win game, there's no way I'm going to sit out."

  The pending restricted free agent said about the injury that "It's just about managing the pain." Giddey also said it's something that will need to be addressed in the offseason.

  The Bulls host the Heat in the 9-10 game in the Eastern Conference Play-In Tournament on Wednesday. The winner will advance to play at the Atlanta Hawks on Friday for the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs. The loser will head to the NBA Draft Lottery.

• 2025 NBA Playoffs: First-Round Matchups Set As Regular Season Concludes

  The Oklahoma City Thunder secured homecourt advantage for the duration of the playoffs with their 68-14 record and NBA-best +12.9 Net Rating. The Cleveland Cavaliers and Boston Celtics were bunched together in second and third in both record and Net Rating.

  The best matchups of the first round figure to be the Los Angeles Lakers against Minnesota Timberwolves less than a year after Luka Doncic faced them with his former team in the Western Conference Finals. The Houston Rockets against either the Golden State Warriors or Memphis Grizzlies will also be close and contentious, as should the New York Knicks against the Detroit Pistons in the Eastern Conference.

  The opening games of the playoffs begin next weekend following the conclusion of the Play-In Tournament on Friday.

  Western Conference
  • (1) Oklahoma City Thunder vs. (8) Play-In Winner between loser of Golden State Warriors/Memphis Grizzlies or Sacramento Kings/Dallas Mavericks
  • (2) Houston Rockets vs. (7) Play-In Winner of Golden State Warriors/Memphis Grizzlies
  • (3) Los Angeles Lakers vs. (6) Minnesota Timberwolves
  • (4) Denver Nuggets vs. (5) LA Clippers

  Eastern Conference
  • (1) Cleveland Cavaliers vs. (8) Play-In Winner between loser of Orlando Magic/Atlanta Hawks or Chicago Bulls/Miami Heat
  • (2) Boston Celtics vs. (7) Play-In Winner of Orlando Magic/Atlanta Hawks
  • (3) New York Knicks vs. (6) Detroit Pistons
  • (4) Indiana Pacers vs. (5) Milwaukee Bucks
  
  NBA Play-In Tournament
  Western Conference
  • (8) Memphis Grizzlies vs. (7) Golden State Warriors (Tues., Apr. 15 - 10 p.m. ET on TNT)
  • (10) Dallas Mavericks vs. (9) Sacramento Kings (Wed., Apr. 16 - 10 p.m. ET on ESPN)
  
  Eastern Conference
  • (8) Atlanta Hawks vs. (7) Orlando Magic (Tues., Apr. 15 - 7:30 p.m. ET on TNT)
  • (10) Miami Heat vs. (9) Chicago Bulls (Wed., Apr. 16 - 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN)

• Coby White, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Named NBA's Players Of The Month For March

  Coby White and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander have been named the NBA's Players of the Month for March.

  White averaged 27.7 points, 4.7 rebounds and 3.7 assists in 15 games in March while the Chicago Bulls went 9-6.

  Gilgeous-Alexander averaged 34.7 points, 4.3 rebounds and 7.4 assists as the Oklahoma City Thunder went 15-1.

• Nikola Vucevic Would Like To Finish Contract With Bulls

  Chicago Bulls center Nikola Vucevic knows he's been on the trade block in the past. Vucevic also knows many expected he'd want a trade after Chicago moved on from DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine in the past year. However, Vucevic reportedly wants to finish out his deal with the Bulls.

  "Who knows what happens in the summer, but right now I'm focused on this group of guys," Vucevic said. "I've really enjoyed playing with them. Guys with good character, guys that really want to win, they care. We play for each other, we compete, and that's what you want."

  Vucevic has one season remaining on his deal after this one. The veteran center is set to make $21.5 million next season in the final year of the three-year extension he signed with Chicago. He's embraced the challenge the Bulls gave themselves after the trades and is enjoying the team playing with pride.

  "It's just the way it is in this league. You can't dwell over what happens. Teams make decisions, front offices, and that's their decision. We as players, we focus on what we can do to become the best versions of ourselves," Vucevic said.

• Coby White, Kevin Durant Named NBA's Players Of Week 22

  Coby White and Kevin Durant have been named the NBA's Players of the Week for Week 22.

  White averaged 30.3 points and 4.0 assists as the Chicago Bulls went 3-1.

  Durant averaged 27.3 points, 4.3 rebounds and 6.3 assists as the Phoenix Suns went 3-0.

• Anthony Edwards, Coby White Named NBA's Players Of Week 21

  Anthony Edwiards and Coby White have been named the NBA's Players of the Week for Week 21.

  Edwards averaged 32.7 points and 4.3 assists while shooting 51.5% from the field. The Wolves went 3-0 last week.

  White averaged 27.7 points and 7.0 assists for the Bulls, who went 2-1 over the week.

• Lonzo Ball Misses Seventh Straight Game With Wrist Injury, Not Shut Down For Season

  Lonzo Ball missed his seventh straight game with a right wrist injury on Sunday.

  There are no plans to shut Ball down for the season, according to Billy Donovan.

  There is also no timeline for Ball's return to the lineup. Ball did not travel with the team for their six-game road trip.

  Ball missed the first 15 games of the season with an injury on the same wrist.

• Josh Giddey Likely To Sign For Starting Point Guard Market Rate

  Josh Giddey has emerged with the Chicago Bulls recently after a slow start to the season. Giddey, who is represented by Daniel Moldovan and is 22, has a PER of 25.3 in nine games since the All-Star break compared to 15.2 in 51 games before.

  "The going rate for a starting point guard in the NBA is around $30 million," said Brian Windhorst on ESPN Australia. "He is their starter. If you look at a guy like Immanuel Quickley, he got five years and $162 million. That's about $32 million per year a year ago. I'm sure Josh Giddy is hoping for something like that. He's not quite the scorer or defender Quickly is, so maybe something a little less.

  "The question is going to be if he doesn't get an offer sheet, will the Bulls play hardball and make him come back on a one-year contract, or actually reward him? Because they have extended Lonzo Ball.

  "If they do see him as their point guard of the future, and that's why they traded Alex Caruso for him. I would expect them to try to invest in him."

  The Bulls had a similar situation last offseason with Patrick Williams and signed him early in restricted free agency.

  "I expect them to try to do something with Giddey. It has been puzzling why they kept his role narrow early on. I'm not sure that was a long-term strategy play. But I know this: I will bet on Josh Giddey and I will bet on him getting a very good contract whether he gets it this year or he has to wait another year and become an unrestricted free agent."