Charlotte, NC, February 5, 2026
The Charlotte Hornets have made a significant roster change, acquiring guard Coby White and veteran Mike Conley Jr. from the Chicago Bulls. Coby White, a native of North Carolina and the state’s all-time high school scoring leader, returns to his home state after a successful NBA career. The Hornets aim to enhance their playoff chances, currently riding a seven-game winning streak. The Bulls continue their roster overhaul, receiving Collin Sexton and Ousmane Dieng, along with future draft picks, in this multi-team trade.
Charlotte, North Carolina Welcomes Home Coby White in Blockbuster Trade
Charlotte, N.C. – The Charlotte Hornets have made a significant move to bolster their roster, acquiring North Carolina native and guard Coby White along with veteran guard Mike Conley Jr. from the Chicago Bulls. The multi-team transaction, reported on Wednesday, February 4, 2026, sees White return to his home state, where he holds the title of the state’s all-time leading high school scorer.
The Hornets sent guard Collin Sexton, forward Ousmane Dieng, and three future second-round draft picks to the Bulls as part of the deal. This complex trade also involved the Oklahoma City Thunder, with center Mason Plumlee moving from the Hornets to the Thunder. Earlier on the same day, the Hornets acquired Dieng and a second-round pick from Oklahoma City for Plumlee, before subsequently sending Dieng to Chicago. In a separate, yet related, transaction, the Hornets also acquired guard Tyus Jones and two second-round picks in 2027 and 2028 from the Orlando Magic in exchange for cash, a move that allowed Orlando to get under the luxury tax threshold.
The addition of White, a dynamic scoring guard, comes as the Hornets are experiencing a resurgence, having won seven consecutive games and positioning themselves for a potential playoff appearance, their first in a decade. The team, currently 23-28 and 11th in the Eastern Conference, has shown strong performance when its primary lineup is healthy, boasting a 12-1 record in such instances. This trade aims to provide Charlotte with additional offensive firepower to complement its young core.
White’s Journey Back to North Carolina
Coby White, 25, brings a strong connection to North Carolina. Born in Goldsboro, North Carolina, he rose to prominence playing high school basketball at Greenfield School in Wilson, North Carolina, where he became the state’s career scoring leader with 3,573 points. He further solidified his reputation in the state by playing one season of college basketball for the North Carolina Tar Heels before declaring for the NBA draft. White continues to host youth basketball camps on campus during the offseason, maintaining his ties to the community.
Drafted by the Chicago Bulls as the seventh overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, White spent seven seasons with the team. Throughout his career with the Bulls, he averaged 15.4 points, 3.9 assists, and 3.7 rebounds across 451 regular-season games. This season, White has been averaging 18.6 points, 4.7 assists, and 3.7 rebounds in 29 games, showcasing his scoring ability, albeit with a slight dip in his three-point shooting percentage to 34.6% compared to his career average of 36.8%. He finished second in the 2023-24 NBA Most Improved Player award, highlighting his development. White had recently signed a three-year contract extension with the Bulls in July 2023.
Bulls’ Strategic Shift and Other Trade Details
For the Chicago Bulls, the trade signals a continuation of an apparent “aggressive roster overhaul” or “rebuild” strategy. The team had previously made other notable moves, including trading Nikola Vucevic and Kevin Huerter. With an already crowded backcourt, partly due to recent acquisitions, the Bulls appear to be prioritizing the accumulation of young talent and future assets, aligning with a broader strategy of acquiring young, experienced players and maintaining flexibility.
The trade also involves other notable players:
- Mike Conley Jr., a 38-year-old guard in his 19th NBA season, was recently acquired by the Bulls before being rerouted to Charlotte. He was averaging 4.4 points and 2.9 assists in 44 games this season.
- Collin Sexton, 27, who moves to the Bulls, averaged 14.2 points, 3.7 assists, and 1.9 rebounds in 42 games during his first season with Charlotte.
- Ousmane Dieng, 22, joining the Bulls, had been averaging 3.7 points and 1.6 rebounds in 27 games for the Oklahoma City Thunder this season.
- Mason Plumlee, 35, now with the Thunder, averaged 1.9 points and 2.9 rebounds in 14 games for Charlotte this season.
This series of moves reshapes the rosters of all involved teams, with the Hornets adding a familiar North Carolina star and seasoned depth, while the Bulls continue their strategic retooling. The NBA trade deadline saw significant activity, reflecting teams’ efforts to optimize their lineups for the remainder of the season and future campaigns.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What was the main trade announced in the last 48 hours?
The Charlotte Hornets acquired guard Coby White and veteran guard Mike Conley Jr. from the Chicago Bulls.
Which players did the Bulls receive in return?
The Chicago Bulls received guard Collin Sexton, forward Ousmane Dieng, and three future second-round draft picks.
Was this a two-team trade?
No, it was a multi-team trade. Mason Plumlee went from the Hornets to the Oklahoma City Thunder.
What other related transaction did the Hornets make?
In a separate deal, the Hornets also acquired guard Tyus Jones and two second-round picks in 2027 and 2028 from the Orlando Magic for cash.
What is Coby White’s connection to North Carolina?
Coby White is a North Carolina native, born in Goldsboro. He is the state’s all-time leading high school scorer, played at Greenfield School in Wilson, North Carolina, and played one season of college basketball for the North Carolina Tar Heels.
What are Coby White’s career averages in the NBA?
Over seven seasons with the Bulls, Coby White has averaged 15.4 points, 3.9 assists, and 3.7 rebounds in 451 regular-season games.
What was Coby White’s draft position?
Coby White was drafted 7th overall in the 2019 NBA Draft.
What are the Hornets’ current season aspirations?
The Hornets are surging towards a potential playoff appearance, having won seven straight games. They are currently 23-28 and 11th in the Eastern Conference.
What is the Bulls’ overall strategy with this trade?
The trade aligns with the Bulls’ strategy of an “aggressive roster overhaul” or “rebuild,” focusing on acquiring young talent and future assets.
Key Features of the Coby White Trade
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Date of Trade | Wednesday, February 4, 2026 |
| Teams Involved | Charlotte Hornets, Chicago Bulls, Oklahoma City Thunder, Orlando Magic |
| Players Acquired by Hornets | Coby White, Mike Conley Jr. (from Bulls), Tyus Jones (from Magic) |
| Assets Sent by Hornets | Collin Sexton, Ousmane Dieng, Mason Plumlee, three future second-round draft picks (to Bulls), cash (to Magic) |
| Coby White’s North Carolina Roots | Born in Goldsboro, NC; All-time leading high school scorer in NC; Played at Greenfield School (Wilson, NC) and UNC Tar Heels |
| Coby White’s NBA Draft | 7th overall pick in 2019 by Chicago Bulls |
| Coby White’s Career Averages (Bulls) | 15.4 points, 3.9 assists, 3.7 rebounds in 451 games |
| Hornets’ Season Standing | 23-28 record, 11th in Eastern Conference; surging with 7 consecutive wins |
| Bulls’ Strategy | Aggressive roster overhaul/rebuild, focusing on young talent and future assets |
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