After the Zach LaVine trade to the Sacramento Kings, the Chicago Bulls are now without their leading scorer. At 24.0 points per game, LaVine was a gifted offensive player for the team who was also shooting 44.6% on 7.3 threes per game. In the wake of his departure, the Bulls now look to Coby White to lead the team’s offense after the All-Star break.

Coby White Has to Step Up After Zach LaVine Trade

With LaVine across the country, ball-handling duties will be even heavier on White and Josh Giddey. Since Giddey is more of a facilitator, he is not going to take over as the lead scorer. Kevin Huerter, part of the return for LaVine, is a low-volume shooter having the least efficient season of his career. The rest of the roster is made up of young developing players not likely to explode so suddenly (other than 34-year-old Nikola Vucevic). This responsibility must weigh on the shoulders of White alone.

It is possible for him to do so. In his 48 games played this season, White has had 23 games of 20+ points including two 30-point performances. He can be a high-scoring guard, but as many in the NBA do, he lives and dies by the three.

In White’s 20+ point games, he shoots 46.9% from three on over nine attempts per game. In his games under 20, his efficiency drops to 25.7% on over seven attempts per game. This consistency issue is a serious blemish on his play. To score 20+, White has to be one of the best three-point shooters in the NBA. More often than not, he scores under 20 when the three fails to go in frequently.

This shooting trouble also hurts team success. When White has 20+, the team is 13-10, a competitive record. When under 20 points, the Bulls are 5-20. White has to work on his three-ball consistency or shift his focus inside the arc.

Coby on the Defensive End

On the defensive end of the floor, White is not known to be a ball-stopper. He is allowing the opponent he is guarding to shoot 50.4% this season. Any coach in the NBA will recognize that stat and target White in as many actions as they can.

This poor defensive play can also be seen in his on/off stats. When he is on the floor, the team’s defensive rating is 119.4. When he is subbed out, the defensive rating improves by over five points to 114.2. That is a significant jump that would move the Bulls halfway up the defensive rankings. Tying this into his offensive inconsistency, White has to be better defensively. Without LaVine, White has to be on his game consistently to make up for his negative defensive impact.

It is obvious after the Zach LaVine trade, the Bulls are looking to improve their draft position. The front office is hoping to lose some games down the final stretch, but looking into the future, White has to improve or the team’s success won’t. As the new leader, his play will make or break this Bulls roster.