Coby White's ascension is making Zach Lavine's position untenable

Coby White has enjoyed a breakout season for the Chicago Bulls. The fifth-year guard has finally begun showcasing the skillset that saw him taken with the No. 7 pick in the 2019 NBA Draft. 

In 64 games, he's averaging 19.7 points, 4.8 rebounds and 53 assists on 45.6% shooting from the field and 39.1% shooting from three-point range.

In a recent article by Darnell Mayberry of The Athletic, he shares his thoughts as to why White's arrival as a genuine impact-maker on the offensive end could force the Bulls front office into finding a new home for Zach LaVine.

"It’s difficult to envision a scenario in which LaVine’s return to the Bulls doesn’t disrupt White’s ascension," Mayberry wrote. "White has supplanted LaVine as the team’s second-leading scorer, morphing into a reliable second-scoring option next to DeRozan — while playing on a much cheaper contract."

LaVine's name was widely circulated in the rumor mill around the trade deadline. His future with the Bulls has looked uncertain for the majority of the season, as his five-year $215M deal is seen as an overpay. 

White can provide similar offensive impact at a fraction of the price. Chicago could also use the assets a LaVine trade would generate. 

Still, finding a willing taker for LaVine hasn't proven easy. His contract is that of a star-level play, where his production is better aligned with a third star or elite-level role player. 

There's a disparity which indicates a high-risk of a negative return on investment. Only a team that believes they're one piece away from being a contender would be willing to take that sort of dice roll.

Chicago will likely continue exploring their options with LaVine. White's emergence means they will likely feel empowered to part with the two-time All-Star. The offseason will likely provide a more robust trade market. 

The Bulls could look significantly different by the start of next season.