According to Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun Times, Coby White has made it clear to the Chicago Bulls that he has no intentions of signing an extension this season.

Under the NBA’s veteran extension rules, White would be selling himself short. The 2026 free agency market predicts him to be able to make more than $20 million a season on a new deal somewhere else.

If he were to extend with Chicago, the 25-year-old would be making roughly $19.4 million in his first season. First-year salary is significantly different if he leaves the Bulls.

The official contract extension he would be offered would be a four-year, $86.9 million deal.

However, despite the clear money issues, White says he doesn’t want to leave Chicago. In fact, he may overlook the money to continue his relationship with this organization.

“I love being in Chicago. I love the front office. I love my teammates. I love the staff,” White told Spears. “I built a great relationship with coach Billy Donovan. And for me, if it is meant to be (to) stay a Chicago Bull, then I can’t ask for nothing else.”

In 74 games played last season, White averaged 20.4 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game. Fans saw him reach a career-high in points per game.

Despite his name being circulated throughout the offseason in trade rumors and buyout rumors, Nikola Vucevic isn’t phased by any of this. In fact, he’s almost expected this due to the nature of the NBA.

When asked about the rumors of him leaving the Chicago Bulls, he said most of them were false and he fully expects to start the season with them. Vucevic said it was pure speculation, largely fueled by him being in the last year of his contract.

“There are always rumors. Most of them are false. It’s a bit of nonsense. For example, the buy-out was misinterpreted in Europe: the journalist wrote that if there was no ‘trade’ during the season, there might be a ‘buy-out’ option before the ‘deadline’,” Vucevic said. “I know how the business works: in the last year of a contract, there is always speculation. Since I can’t control anything, I try not to worry about it.”

Chicago’s general manager Marc Eversley reached out to Vucevic to personally tell him the rumors are fake and they have no intentions of moving him at this time.

“The Bulls’ GM (Marc Eversley), who had contacted me after all the rumors about me, confirmed that nothing was true and that everything we had said to each other after the season was still relevant,” Vucevic said. “I knew it but it’s always nice when your GM contacts you to tell you.”

When talking about his goals and future in the NBA, Vucevic has went on record to say that he wants to win a championship in career. He has made it clear he doesn’t know when he’ll retire, but the 34-year-old has not set an expiration date on his career.

“I haven’t set myself an age limit. As long as I’m physically well, motivated and have a role on the pitch that suits me, I hope to continue playing. I feel very good physically and mentally. I’m coming off a very good season,” Vucevic said. “I’m entering the last year of my contract with Chicago. After that, we’ll see what opportunities and roles are offered. I know that sooner or later my role will evolve, and I am ready to accept that. I think I still have a few good years ahead of me.”

According to Jake Fischer, the Warriors are interested in a potential sign-and-trade involving Josh Giddey and Jonathan Kuminga. This comes at a time where the Chicago Bulls are also at an impasse with one of their young, promising players.

“I can report that there have been multiple teams who have reached out to Josh Giddey’s representation about having interest in Josh Giddey. Golden State is one of them. 

“Golden State would be interested depending how the machinations go in some type of Josh Giddey-Jonathan Kuminga sign-and-trade, to my understanding,” said Fischer.

How long have the Warriors had interest in Giddey? Since 2021 when the Oklahoma City Thunder selected him with the sixth overall pick, just one pick ahead of Golden State’s pick.

“The Warriors were prepared on draft night, way back when in 2021, for Jonathan Kuminga to go #6 to Oklahoma City. And they were ready to take Josh Giddey #7,” added Fischer.

Both Giddey and Kuminga are looking for long-term deals that see them making close to $30 million per year. Chicago and Golden State are not fond of that.

It’s unclear what else would be thrown into this potential deal, but the groundwork is set surrounded around Giddey and Kuminga – two promising players of the National Basketball Association.