Timberwolves ask Bulls about Kobe White trade

The Minnesota Timberwolves have contacted Chicago Bulls about a potential trade for a guard Coby White as they look for help at point guard, according to a report from Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times on Thursday.

Cowley reported that Minnesota’s front office explored several backcountry options before focusing on white.

“There have been rumors that they’ve inquired about Ja Morant from Memphis, that they’ve kicked the tires on Kyrie Irving, and now they’re targeting a more realistic target. That’s where the Bulls come in.”

According to a source, Kobe White has inquired, and time is of the essence with the Bulls making a decision. The source said Minnesota doesn’t want to wait until February and the trade deadline to make a deal, trying to fix a primary ball situation that has been a problem for them all season.

The Timberwolves’ interest in Kobe White is growing as backcourt concerns remain

White, 25, opened the 2025-26 season with one of the most productive stretches of his career. He is averaging 22.1 points, 5.4 assists and 2.7 rebounds per game while shooting 43.1% from the field and 30.2% from 3-point range in seven games and five starts. His flurry came as Chicago slipped from a 6-1 start in a seven-game losing streak, dropping the Bulls to 9-14.

The guard is in the final year of a three-year, $36 million contract and is making $12.8 million this season before becoming an unrestricted free agent next summer, a factor that adds urgency to the Bulls’ decision.

Minnesota’s interest stems from continued instability at the starting quarterback position. Veteran Mike Conley, 38, has seen his role and production decline, averaging 5.3 points, 3.2 assists and 1.8 rebounds while shooting 36.3% from the field and 36.6% from 3 in 24 games and five starts in 19.1 minutes per contest. Rob Dillingham, the eighth pick in the 2024 NBA draftstruggled to establish himself in the rotation, averaging 3.7 points, two assists and 1.1 rebounds on 34.8% shooting in 10.1 minutes in 21 games.

In response, the Timberwolves relied heavily on the backcourt combination of Anthony Edwards and Donte DiVincenzo as they opened the season 15-9. DiVincenzo, 28, is averaging 13.2 points, four rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.1 steals per game on 41.4% shooting from the field and 38.4% from 3 in 24 appearances. He makes $11.9 million this season and $12.5 million next season, and his contract runs through the 2027 offseason.

Bulls manage internal reluctance to weigh in on white trade negotiations

Cowley reported that Chicago is considering whether to get more serious with Minnesota about a potential package that includes DiVincenzo, wing Terence Shannon Jr. and a future draft pick.

“So what’s the wait?”

Despite currently being mired in a seven-game losing streak, Bulls executive vice president of basketball operations Arturas Karnisovas isn’t ready to give up just yet. Maybe soon, but not yet. Karnisovas has been preaching ‘competitive integrity’ for years, so the idea of ​​a fall is not on the table. But would moving White for a package of Donta DiVincenzo, Terence Shannon Jr. and a future draft pick constitute tanking or reloading?”

Cowley added that Chicago’s front office must weigh White’s production on the field against his importance in the locker room and his decision to bet on himself in free agency. The Sun-Times previously reported that both sides have agreed to hold “friendly” talks as July approaches, with the Bulls expected to have their first chance to retain him.

Minnesota’s investigation puts additional pressure on Chicago’s timeline as both franchises consider how aggressively to act before the trade deadline.