"Alarm at the Bulls? Their star decides to become a free agent in 2026"

The future of Coby White with the Chicago Bulls could be in jeopardy. The Illinois franchise star has informed the team that he has decided not to renew his current contract. His plan is to become a free agent in the summer of 2026. Although he does not rule out extending his contract at that time, nothing assures that he will decide to continue, especially if the NBA regular season goes poorly.

Coby White, 25 years old, is in the final season of his contract, valued at $12.8 million, and although he was eligible for an extension under the NBA's veteran rules, the economic scenario pushes him to bet on free agency.

League rules allow White to extend his agreement only under very specific parameters: a maximum of 4 years and $86.9 million, with an initial salary of $19.4 million. However, being limited to signing for 140% of his current salary or the league's estimated average salary, the point guard would fall below $20 million annually in the first year of the new contract.

In the context of an inflating market with several teams looking for dynamic point guards to strengthen their backcourt, it is expected that White could significantly exceed that figure as a free agent in 2026, making it logical for him to decide to wait and maximize his next big contract.

Is it a foreseen goodbye or a strategic renewal?

Despite the decision, the relationship between White and the Bulls does not seem tarnished. In fact, in statements to Marc Spears (Andscape), the player was categorical in expressing his connection with the franchise: "I love being in Chicago. I love the management. I love my teammates. I love the coaching staff. I built an excellent relationship with coach Billy Donovan. And if my goal is to stay with the Chicago Bulls, I cannot ask for more."

White is coming off his best season as a professional, solidifying himself not only as an explosive scorer but also as a playmaker capable of creating for his teammates. His progression has made him one of the leaders of a team that is still determining whether it will rebuild in the medium term or try to compete immediately in the East.

If he maintains the level shown last season, White could be among the most sought-after point guards in the 2026 market, adding additional pressure on the Bulls' management to define their direction before the season ends.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, ¿Alarma en los Bulls? Su estrella decide convertirse en agente libre en 2026