Will the Coby White breakout continue this season?

It was so much fun watching Coby White last season. He burst onto the scene in the Bulls' backcourt and became the best and most consistent player on the team alongside DeMar DeRozan.

So what should we expect from him this season?

Can Coby White match and even build on what he did last year? Is there another jump for the 24-year-old guard? What will be the impact of the Bulls' new roster and hopefully a larger role?

Let's talk about some expectations for Coby White's 2024-25 season.

Coby White 2023-24 Stats (79 Games)

Development is not always linear and Coby White is a good example of exactly that. The Chicago Bulls' No. 7 pick in the 2019 NBA Draft has experienced numerous role changes in his first five years in the league. And this led to the worst season of his career in the 2022-23 season. However, when the opportunity presented itself the following year, White showed that he had learned from every experience.

The 2023-24 season saw the best basketball of White's career. He finally looked like the versatile scorer many thought he could come out of UNC. White no longer relied solely on his transition speed and goal-scoring ability, but was able to open up a whole new area of ​​his scoring arsenal thanks to his ball handling. He confidently attacked the substitutions and methodically worked his way to the edge of the half court. The ability to score points at three levels was particularly evident as the games progressed. At the end of the games, White proved to be a good choice and finished the season with the 12th most points on the season.

But what may have been most important was White's selflessness. While he showed everyone what he could do as a goalscorer last season, he was never one to force things. We watched him use his improved ball handling to also give his teammates a record 5.1 assists. We also watched him show consistent effort on the glass, where he reminded people of his solid 6'3″ frame. White has consistently delivered winning plays, and last season was a great sign that he can still be a reliable all-around player.

Coby White On/Off

According to Cleaning the Glass, Coby White finished last season with an on/off differential of +4.6. Specifically, the Bulls' effective field goal percentage increased by 4.0 percent when White was on the field last season, putting them in the 96th percentile in the league!

This also speaks for the positive, victorious effect that White has learned to achieve on the offensive. The defense still has a long way to go, but the production passes the eye test and we still see him providing enough on offense to make up for his deficiencies on that side of the ball.

What to be most happy about: Arsenal scores

Coby White, the all-time leading scorer in North Carolina high school history, has long been a scorer at heart. While we've seen him improve as a passer and defender, White will always be at his best when he's allowed to focus on finding the bottom of the net. And that's exactly what he should be able to do this season.

With DeMar DeRozan gone, not only does there be a big hole to fill on offense, but White also showed last season that he deserves to have the ball in his hands. We saw his scoring ability increase significantly over the course of the 2023-24 season, and the main reason for this was his ball handling. White, who previously relied primarily on his transition speed and 3-point jumper, can now pick apart defenses in the halfcourt. He has improved tremendously in changing speeds and using his strong upper body to sustain the contract.

With building for the future now a priority, White should continue to have the opportunity to showcase his versatile scoring ability this season. I expect some great performances from White this year.

What to worry about most: Regression

Josh Giddey has arrived. Zach LaVine is back. Ayo Dosunmu seems ready to step up. Coby White has no shortage of competition in the backfield, and that could lead to some trouble.

Of course, all signs point to White playing an important role in the Bulls' plans. But we can't deny that last season presented a COMPLETELY different situation. White had to be a good scorer with LaVine on the bench. He also had to have the ball in his hands without a true point guard on the court. Even though the Bulls want White to be a crucial part of the offense, he needs to share the ball much more often. How will he adjust to more off-ball games? Could it be that he has trouble finding his rhythm some evenings?

That's why I'm very curious to see if White is the player that gets moved to the second unit. This way, Billy Donovan can ensure that White continues to get his fair share of minutes as the primary ballplayer.