UNC Basketball: Coby White heading to the Western Conference?

With NBA free agency set to begin, could former UNC basketball standout Coby White be on the move via the trade market?

Former UNC basketball standout Coby White has been involved in various trade rumors throughout the early part of the NBA offseason.

Prior to the NBA Draft, White was mentioned as a potential trade chip if the Chicago Bulls wished to move up in the draft order. No deals came to fruition, as White is still with the Bulls, but that could change once free agency gets underway.

According to Brad Turner of the LA Times, there is a belief among rival executives that the Los Angeles Lakers could have interest in trading for the 22-year-old guard. Turner mentions that the Lakers could look to trade Talen Horton-Tucker in a deal for White, as Horton-Tucker’s ball-dominant skills aren’t necessarily needed given the makeup of the team’s current roster.

Given that Russell Westbrook will mostly still be in Los Angeles come the start of the upcoming season, White could be used by the Lakers as a versatile scoring guard off the bench. Although the former Tar Heel would like the chance to start, he’s shown that he can be an effective player in a reserve role, something that will entice teams looking for guard depth this offseason.

It’s also important to remember that White is still very young. He won’t turn 23 until February 2023, so there is still plenty of room for him to grow and develop as a player in this league.

A change of scenery may be in White’s best interest career-wise, as a new opportunity may help bring out the best in the former UNC basketball standout.

As free agency begins, Tar Heels fans should keep an eye on White’s name, as he could potentially be on the move in the very near future.

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