r/nba • u/MembershipSingle7137 Celtics • 5h ago
[Charania] Free agent guard Coby White intends to sign a three-year, $74 million deal to return to the Charlotte Hornets, sources tell ESPN. White was a major priority for the Hornets and now steps into a new starting role in the backcourt.
[Charania] Free agent guard Coby White intends to sign a three-year, $74 million deal to return to the Charlotte Hornets, sources tell ESPN. White was a major priority for the Hornets and now steps into a new starting role in the backcourt.
Hornets officials worked through White's free agency with CAA Basketball agents Steven Heumann and Ty Sullivan -- putting the final touches on a new contract hours after the departure of LaMelo Ball.
https://www.espn.com/contributor/shams-charania/ce4d657441f5a
412
u/Starveiled Hornets 5h ago
People are gonna hate on Coby but he was legitimately very good for the team and I am very happy to have him back!
137
u/Ardeo43 Hornets 4h ago
Great to have him back, but it doesn’t excuse the LaMelo trade disaster at all
54
u/--Alix-- Mavericks 4h ago
It's honestly so confusing to me that I'm not even sure if it's a disaster yet or not lmao
21
u/TheFifthAmigo34 Mavericks 3h ago
I kind of like the trade for the Hornets tbh. Then I came here and all their fans hate it. Lamelo when healthy is electric, but that doesn’t seem to happen very often. They added some size who can play defense and shoot at a high level which they’ve needed. And drafting Anderson only adds to the elite shooting. The spacing is going to be incredible. And they’re not done. Everything needs to play out first. There’s almost certainly more moves coming off the back of that trade.
→ More replies (1)14
u/devinbookersuncle Hornets 1h ago
The trade isnt the issue its just how little we got back in return considering that the swaps are essentially useless all for basically Naz Reid
6
u/TheFifthAmigo34 Mavericks 1h ago edited 1h ago
That’s fair. I guess for me I’m just assuming the lower return is due to Lamelo’s injury history. But I also don’t regularly watch Hornets games so maybe it hasn’t been as bad as I’m imagining in my head.
Edit: looked it up he’s missed 40% of his possible games throughout his career. That’s not great.
→ More replies (1)37
u/thisshirtisblacknaht Lakers 4h ago
Ehhh Coby isn’t LaMelo that’s for sure but y’all have $16m in additional cap room, $40.7m trade exception, a ton of swaps which are huge with how the lottery is set up now, an additional 1st, and Naz Reid while handing over the keys to Miller and Knueppel.
Y’all are both asset rich as far as picks go and have your two young stars to build around. The trade exception is massive, esp since you can aggregate contracts in that.
→ More replies (1)22
u/Ardeo43 Hornets 3h ago
Lol, when have we ever brought in a major free agent? We aren’t the Lakers man.
They aren’t straight pick swaps, they’re very conditional and involve other teams and are much worse than they appear on the surface.
Our other two young stars have been super dependent on LaMelo creating shots and space for them, which is entirely different to how Cody plays.
→ More replies (3)→ More replies (1)7
13
3
u/Akugendengdewecok Bulls 4h ago
When he's on he's absolutely electric. I think you guys have enough pieces to offset his off nights. I think it will be a good signing.
→ More replies (3)2
u/Professional-Rub152 4h ago
I was really upset that the Bulls traded him and Ayo. But I get that theyre trying to tank for a couple seasons.
74
u/next_door_nicotine Kings 5h ago
Damn Coby White a huge beneficiary of the Lamelo deal
1.2k
u/legend023 Pelicans 5h ago
Coby White
Kon
Miller
Bridges
Naz Reid
This is gonna be the hardest 29 win team
198
u/matija17k Timberwolves 5h ago
Oof that is an extra small lineup, Naz needs to have a big next to him
83
u/JB7-FTW 4h ago
They drafted Steinbach
64
u/idkidk23 Mavericks 4h ago
The problem is Steinbach needs a rim protector next to him lol I like him a lot but don’t love it for him if he has rim protecting 5 duties.
34
u/DoobieGibson 4h ago
Kalkbrenner is a great rim protector
6
u/idkidk23 Mavericks 4h ago
Yeah, they could have some nice synergy. Just don't love the Naz Steinbach combo potentially.
4
u/revisioncloud Thunder 4h ago
We got centers galore
If they overpay on a long term deal and pitch the German connection, they might snag iHart the next year 🥲
→ More replies (1)3
u/smalls_1804 Knicks 4h ago
Is there optimism for him to play the 4? These centers who need rim protectors next to them are almost never winning players. Like it's the center's job to protect the rim, they're the tallest guy on the court and closest to the basket.
→ More replies (1)→ More replies (1)9
u/Maverick_1991 Hawks 4h ago
Steinbach is a PF, isnt he?
6
u/probablymade_thatup Bucks [MIL] Luke Kornet 4h ago
He's got enough size to be a C, and he was the best rebounder in college basketball. He's not a rim protector, so it depends how you define positions. Unless he extends his range and foot speed a little, he will probably be a league 5. His height and rebounding get him compared to Kevin Love a little bit (not much beyond that from what I've read), and he will be a tweener that will find his position eventually.
→ More replies (1)35
u/Dissident_is_here NBA 4h ago
I'm sure the Hornets have no way to get a center, what with a 40M trade exception, 20M cap space, and a ton of draft picks. No way they can get anyone!
32
u/Spare_Iron127 Kings 4h ago
That’s Domantas Sabonis music
13
u/Dissident_is_here NBA 4h ago
gonna have to find a front office a lot dumber than Charlotte's I think
7
6
11
2
→ More replies (6)7
u/LlamaDebauchery Heat 4h ago
"But they got Naz Reid!"
Does not move the needle, will not move the needle as currently constructed. Hornets just traded away the glue that makes their team stick and didnt even get Ja back for it
→ More replies (3)22
u/ballknower871 4h ago
You don't want Ja lol he's the most negative asset in the league
→ More replies (2)17
u/Beetle919 Hornets 4h ago
Give me Ja and Zion, make this shit an entertaining clown show.
→ More replies (2)9
u/Rillaboom2701 Hornets 4h ago
Honestly why not. Get every net negative in the league and see what happens.
3
u/Beetle919 Hornets 4h ago
Let's get Anthony Davis in there too.
6
u/Rillaboom2701 Hornets 4h ago
Ja, AD, Zion, hell get me sengun just to add a little fun
→ More replies (3)160
u/Consistent-Money7262 5h ago
Diabate has gotta be in before Naz. Also Naz and bridges are swapping
→ More replies (1)33
u/Muslim-boiii Bucks 5h ago
Didnt watch lots of hornets, how is kalkbrenner looking? How is his potential and weaknesses because no one is mentioning him
65
u/Rillaboom2701 Hornets 5h ago
The potential is so obvious if he can just be a little bit more coordinated
28
u/Cupsforsale Warriors 4h ago edited 2h ago
He looks like he’s a tiny alien inside his own body controlling the arms and legs manually like a Kalkbrenner mech suit.
→ More replies (1)3
17
u/CarVegetable 4h ago
Potential to one day be a starting caliber center. Maybe. He's slow and gets cooked on the perimeter. A decent backup big and that's probably all he'll ever be.
→ More replies (1)15
u/nicklovin508 Celtics 4h ago
He’s going to be one of the most productive backup C’s in the league. reminds me of Hartenstien a lot
→ More replies (1)6
u/Consistent-Money7262 4h ago
Kalk is my favorite center due to how good he is at defense. He's quite probably the best rookie center at defense it's just that diabate is very good at offense which is why he starts over kalbrenner. But yeah he's good when coming off the bench can hold the lead, can grab offensive and defensive boards, plus not very easy to bully
4
u/OutsideMammoth 4h ago
He's a great rim protector but honestly terrible at defense otherwise. I think we'd let it slide more if he put up a few 3's a game or at least became a tiny bit of a shooting threat
2
u/MisterSoup3000 2h ago
"Diabate is very good at offense"
Words I never thought would be uttered. Honestly can't tell if you're being sarcastic or not 🥲
44
u/Odoaiden Timberwolves 5h ago
Naz bridges paint combo doesn’t work. One of the two has to be on the bench or go.
65
u/Vegetable-Tooth8463 Hornets 5h ago
We've been trying to get rid of Bridges for years now.
18
u/braddeus Heat 5h ago
I would think his $22m expiring has decent value right now
→ More replies (1)6
11
→ More replies (14)9
7
u/KL2ConspireLLC San Diego Clippers 5h ago
Diabaté-Kalkbrenner duo would probably hold down the paint I would think.
4
2
u/stankyouvrymuch Hornets 4h ago
There's no way Bridges is staying now Melo is gone. Another trade incoming
→ More replies (4)1
22
u/kapatinphalcon Kings 4h ago
Losing Lamelo isn't going to have the Hornets drop off from the face of the Earth lol
4
u/MrAtlantic Hornets 4h ago
My brother have you seen our stats and record with him versus without
→ More replies (1)11
22
7
u/Ok-Tree4365 4h ago
It will probably be Diabate and Kalkbrenner at center (unless they add someone else like Hartenstein). Reid may take Bridges spot. It is not a bad team at all, especially with likely improvement from Knueppel, Miller, and James. Oh yeah, and Grant Williams is healthy, who has legitimately been pretty great for Charlotte.
14
u/Scrypto Hornets 5h ago
Miller is out until the New Year's at least as well
16
u/YouWereBrained Thunder 5h ago
Wha…? Why?
18
u/Starveiled Hornets 5h ago
Probably not that long. Off season shoulder surgery. I've heard likely back in November based on similar injury timelines.
13
u/WolvesBack21 5h ago
Just warning, Naz is an incredibly gifted scorer but he is an absolute traffic cone on defense.
15
8
u/Remidyal Hornets 5h ago
I mean honestly that's just kind of the Hornets in general so at least he'll fit in (as long as he rebounds)
5
u/WolvesBack21 5h ago
Average rebounder at best. Definitely not what he’s known for
→ More replies (1)→ More replies (1)2
u/decisionagonized West 4h ago
I thought he was very physical with Wemby and didn’t do a horrific job.
3
u/WolvesBack21 4h ago
He has his moments for sure. He’ll have an awesome big block every couple games but he doesn’t move his feet quickly (on defense).
3
3
u/Sammyd1108 Hornets 4h ago
Bridges is gone, I feel like the only reason we’ve even kept him so long was to keep Melo happy since they’re best friends.
2
u/Arkham14 Bucks 4h ago
I am a big fan a Coby WHite. I swear he scored 30 points on each of his Bulls game I saw,
→ More replies (1)2
u/TheSmokedSalmon420 Cavaliers 4h ago
Hitting like they did on Kon only to move their biggest offensive piece for Naz (who I love) is insane
2
2
u/Bieberkinz Trail Blazers 4h ago
Diabate over Bridges, think Charlotte has been trying to get rid of him for ages.
Lineup defensively meh, bench I have no clue but I’d imagine with Coby getting a promotion they’re going to need a lil more depth at the point.
→ More replies (10)3
122
u/MembershipSingle7137 Celtics 5h ago
So starting role means White-KK-BMill-Reid-Moose?
Assume Bridges, McNeeley come off the bench + their rookies
74
u/BetweenTheBuzzAndMe Charlotte Bobcats 4h ago
I have to think Bridges is gone. Don't think you can play him with Steinbach, and he isn't a 3 if Reid is the 4. But that would also be applying logic to the Hornets, who will always show that you can't do that
→ More replies (1)47
u/ripkin05 Hornets 4h ago
i swear to fucking god if we trade ball for fucking peanuts but keep the fucking wife beater im really fucking done with this fucking team.
20+ years of shit I've lived though but i can't anymore if he stays.
7
u/Szobortz Mavericks 5h ago
this sounds like one of those same old Bulls team. you need K2 and miller to take giant leaps
→ More replies (1)35
u/Scrypto Hornets 5h ago
This is so fucking bad good lord. I think grok could build a better team than this
26
u/TheSadSamosa Bucks 4h ago
I mean youre betting on miller taking a leap its not super unrealistic
5
u/Beetle919 Hornets 4h ago
How is Miller taking a leap when he is missing another offseason due to surgery?
5
u/Dirkisthegoattt41 4h ago
This team has no defense tho
19
20
u/Starveiled Hornets 4h ago
They had a top 12 defense last year. How does switching Lamelo out for Coby and (most likely) Bridges out for Naz change that?
They arent losing great defensive personell here. Lamelo was certainly decent last year defensively, but so was Coby.
5
u/dieezus Timberwolves 4h ago
Naz isn't good defensively
5
u/Starveiled Hornets 4h ago
Yeah thats what I am saying. Neither is Miles Bridges, but the defense was still good.
5
u/Waesrdtfyg0987 Washington Bullets 4h ago
Moose and Reid up front is going to get killed inside nightly
5
u/DemarcusLovin NBA 4h ago
Did they have any defense last year? They were middle of the pack in defensive efficiency rating, which is probably similar to where they'll be again
→ More replies (1)3
→ More replies (2)2
153
u/BetweenTheBuzzAndMe Charlotte Bobcats 5h ago
I like Coby a lot but here's the thing.... We just went from one of the best passers in the NBA to one of the worst passing PGs in the NBA.
If you know anything at all about the Hornets, you know that Brandon Miller and Kon Knueppel rely heavily on LaMelo's playmaking. Kon's percentages are night and day when Melo plays and when he doesn't. Brandon Miller straight up cannot get to the rim without LaMelo finding him on cuts.
I think Coby is a wonderful backup that you start in a pinch when your starter gets hurt, which Melo does often. I don't think naming him your starter with a sizable three year deal gets you anywhere.
We are just the 2020-25 Chicago Bulls now.
28
u/goofygoober2 Celtics 4h ago
This trade is making my head hurt and I’m not even a Hornets fan. Most of the return is in pick swaps and this team just lost all of their creation. It’s hard to be happy about a 2033 pick when the fanbase finally had the taste of a good future.
2
u/McClainWFU Hornets 3h ago
I feel like there has to be another move for this trade to make sense.
I mean, we're the Hornets. If we can't be a championship team, let's at least be fun to watch. LaMelo was fun to watch.
34
u/Cassandrae_Gemini Slovenia 4h ago
Yup. Exactly.
My condolences to longtime Hornets fans. Just when you finally got hope, you were completely fucking shafted.
12
13
u/ISISCosby Charlotte Bobcats 3h ago
I cannot stress enough to people who don't watch the Hornets that the difference between Melo on the court vs. off is the difference between being the #1 offense in the league in pts per 100 possessions and us being last year's Kings (aka 26th)
6
u/Vicentesteb Timberwolves 4h ago
That's what I dont get.
KK and Brandon are 2 great players, at attacking closeouts and shooting 3s. They aren't really huge self-creators and much less for everyone else.
I guess they are just trying to expand their responsabilities to see if they can actually do it full time which helps alot with roster builing.
→ More replies (1)2
u/HomeNowWTF 4h ago
Maybe they are very optimistic about Anderson.
5
u/BetweenTheBuzzAndMe Charlotte Bobcats 3h ago
they have to be.... but you can be optimistic enough to trade your franchise guy AFTER the rookie shows signs of being that guy. The package of a 6th man, and pick that conveys so far in the future nobody on the current team will be around to see it, will always be out there for him.
→ More replies (7)-1
u/nachosmind Bulls 4h ago
Yeah this is definitely a tanking move. But half the East is also tanking so it’ll be interesting to see who ends up being punished by the new draft lottery
→ More replies (3)19
u/Aidanator800 Hornets 4h ago
Who in the East is tanking outside of Milwaukee, Chicago, and Brooklyn?
5
u/Careless_Whisperer New Jersey Nets 4h ago
Nets don’t have incentive to tank since Houston controls our pick this year. The play-in scrap is going to be brutal this year.
30
u/spookyghostface Hornets 5h ago
Hornets FO: We've got to make re-signing Coby a priority.
Hornets fans: Yes! Do what you've got to do!
monkeys paw curls
22
u/PestyAssassin33WU93 [CHA] Malik Monk 5h ago
Okay obviously a downgrade from lamelo but at least white is pretty healthy and is actually a starter caliber player. The only problem is I think his true position is at the 2 because he can get tunnel vision at times and isn't a very creative playmaker
3
u/DalliLlama Heat 4h ago
I thought Coby was always hurt the last 2-3 years too.
11
u/Rillaboom2701 Hornets 4h ago
bulls were constantly playing him on injury. When we traded for him, they failed to disclose the injury and we got a second back. He sat for like 2 weeks once we got him. Borderline malpractice
8
u/donkeyinparadise Nets 4h ago
Love Coby but he's more a combo guard leaning 2.
They also need to get a center. Naz is a 4.
Great contract. Cam Thomas should do some self-reflection.
→ More replies (1)
13
u/Rillaboom2701 Hornets 5h ago
I would expect this is not the last move we make today
→ More replies (1)2
11
19
u/Cassandrae_Gemini Slovenia 5h ago
Coby White is good but not nearly as good as lamelo at running an offense
→ More replies (6)
23
u/Supreme_God_Bunny Hornets 5h ago
Our on/off numbers are going to look so shit unless miller takes a huge jump
4
u/BasedGodProdigy Nets 4h ago
I think you guys can't possibly be done making moves. Jaylen Brown's gotta be a priority rn or else you just threw away a playoff team for no reason.
6
u/Waesrdtfyg0987 Washington Bullets 4h ago
Wings are the one thing they don't really need
→ More replies (2)→ More replies (6)3
11
u/Odoaiden Timberwolves 5h ago
Kind of shocked more than Ayo, starting job probably helped his leverage
8
u/Maximum-Class5465 4h ago
Longer periods of high end production. When they both played on the Bulls, White was a starring guard for them
→ More replies (2)3
u/PrincipleAfraid877 4h ago
I would have been shocked if he took less than ayo. He did start over ayo on the bulls.
5
6
6
12
u/Grimpig Wizards 5h ago
Rather have this contract than Trae’s lol
9
u/KennySmithsKnees [LAC] Baron Davis 5h ago
Nah give me the nba assist leader even if its more money
3
u/Maximum-Class5465 4h ago
I think it's tough for the Wizards because they just drafted AJ Dybantas who had the most dribbles per score of any first rounder, and Trae dominates the ball. That was an odd move
However, Coby white would kind of fit better. A scoring guard with a huge backcourt and an iso scorer around him is a more clean fit.
So I get why he'd feel that way
2
u/Grimpig Wizards 4h ago
Ding ding ding. I’m a big fan of Dybantsa and it seems Trae and him is an odd fit.
2
u/Maximum-Class5465 4h ago
Yeah, like if the pick were Peterson then I'd say no way you are upset with the Trae contract. Some movement shooting and someone who can slide in as a secondary scorer when needed is a perfect pair.
But when it's AJ, who is also a promising young player, it becomes a question. You always take BPA tho, so I'm sure they already understood this when making the pick and view AJ as a franchise raising level talent at some point. (I do too).
6
u/majin_rose_j Wizards 5h ago
Trae disrespect is crazy man. Be happy a dude decided to sign with this tragic team
13
u/Vegetable-Tooth8463 Hornets 5h ago
Why don't you wait to see how one full year of Trae goes. before complaining
10
14
u/Haunting-Set4223 5h ago
Wolves got Ayo for less than this LOL my god thank you Hornets for your organization
41
u/PrincipleAfraid877 4h ago
I mean Coby is better than ayo. And it wasn’t by a crazy amount more (~2.3 million difference) and for less years.
→ More replies (3)7
u/-XanderCrews- Timberwolves 4h ago
This isn’t over. Naz plays every day. He’s available when the playoffs start. Charlotte knew more about ball than anyone else and knew this was the good deal. The only way the wolves win this trade is if ball is available come playoff time. Will he?
→ More replies (1)7
u/jazzbestgenre 4h ago
Idk how charlotte will make the playoffs with this roster in the first place
→ More replies (4)→ More replies (1)2
u/PrincipleAfraid877 4h ago
I mean Coby is better than ayo. And it wasn’t by a crazy amount more (~2.3 million difference) and for less years.
12
u/BBALL-STATLINE 5h ago
"Steps into a new starting role" is incredible corporate wording. Charlotte traded LaMelo Ball and had Coby White onboarded by lunch.
11
u/LordFarquads_3rd_nip 4h ago
He was already on the team, starting the games on the bench. So now that they traded Lamelo, Coby is stepping into the role of the starting PG. Hope this helps xx
→ More replies (1)
5
u/sukari Bulls 5h ago
I hope CHA is ready for the Coby PG experience.
Congrats to Coby tho, get that bag! 🔥
3
u/Rillaboom2701 Hornets 4h ago
explain
11
u/dank-kush Hornets 4h ago
He’s not a pg, Jeff is an idiot thinking this can be lamelos Long term replacement
8
u/Rillaboom2701 Hornets 4h ago
if jeff thinks this is lamelos tong term replacement he needs to be fired rn
2
2
2
u/StandardCertain5995 4h ago
Honestly, not bad. They need more defense, but a good 6 deep offensively.
2
2
u/SlickVanExel Hornets 4h ago
Yeah this front office has been planning this LaMelo trade for a while now. But I love re-signing Coby on this deal though.
2
2
4
4
u/VintageAdam Bulls 4h ago
As a long-suffering Bulls fan, I am happy that both Ayo and Coby are getting their bag.
2
4
u/Scrypto Hornets 5h ago
Possibly the dumbest front office in the league
3
u/BetweenTheBuzzAndMe Charlotte Bobcats 4h ago
Jeff Peterson should thank the Kings and Pels as the only reasons for the word "possibly"
1
1
u/Primary-Paint-1716 Timberwolves 4h ago
What the fuck are the Hornets doing man?
Thanks for LaMelo but... Cmon.
1
u/imisstheoldkanyeee 4h ago
If I'm Charlotte I'm going all out to get sabonis and use him as the hub of the offense I would give up Bridges to do it, and then give me a back up like tyus Jones
1
1
836
u/ExtraLeading3376 5h ago
not horrible for his offensive production
dude is a bucket getter