Every year, the competition for the NBA’s Most Improved Player award is steep. That’s a good thing. As long as players are improving, the league is growing. Who could complain about that?
This year is no exception. Tyrese Maxey of the Philadelphia 76ers is likely the frontrunner for the award. Still, Alperen Sengun of the Houston Rockets shouldn’t go unnoticed. Even Coby White of the Chicago Bulls is making his case.
Maxey and Sengun are likely cornerstones of their respective teams. On the other hand, the Bulls may be looking for a fresh start. They could trade White despite his improvements.
Could they send him to the Orlando Magic?
NBA Trade Proposal: Orlando Magic Land Chicago Bulls’ Coby White
Chicago Bulls Receive: G/F Joe Ingles, F Chuma Okeke, 2025 First-Round Pick (Top 10 Protected – ORL)
Orlando Magic Receive: G Coby White, C Andre Drummond
Will these players continue to improve? That remains to be seen. Sometimes, the league’s Most Improved Player is on an upward trajectory. Other times, they’re simply having the best season of their career.
Let’s look at recent winners. Lauri Markkanen and Ja Morant were both ascending to stardom. Julius Randle and Pascal Siakam may have plateaued. By contrast, Victor Oladipo likely had a career year when he won the award in 2018.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Coby White, Chicago Bulls, Orlando Magic Updates
How will Maxey, Sengun, and White fare? It remains to be seen. There’s probably no way to predict it. Should the Bulls risk watching White continue to ascend in Orlando?
Why The Chicago Bulls Do The Deal
The Bulls are widely expected to make some moves as the deadline approaches. They’re likely to trade Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan. They should probably trade Alex Caruso. With that said White is a point of contention.
After all, he’s only 23. The Bulls could justify keeping White. Still, it could make more sense to move him. If this team is looking for a fresh start, they need assets more than they need fully developed players. The Bulls should be looking to tank.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Coby White, Chicago Bulls, Orlando Magic Updates
So, they’re flipping him for a protected pick here. The Magic are on the rise – barring a catastrophe injury, this pick should convey. Moreover, Okeke is young enough to garner Chicago’s interest.
Should the Magic part with him?
Why The Orlando Magic Do The Deal
By contrast, the Magic don’t necessarily have to make any moves. This team is having a wildly successful season. If the Magic wanted to stand pat, they could justify that decision.
On the other hand, they could use a guard who spaces the floor. Meanwhile, the Magic tend to like bigger players – they want size advantages at every position. If a big point guard who’s knocking down a high percentage of his triples was available, Orlando may pounce on him.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Coby White, Chicago Bulls, Orlando Magic Updates
That’s a perfect description of White. The Magic could also use Drummond for stretches when Wendell Carter Jr. is injured. This is a deal worth making for Orlando – they’re landing a Most Improved Player candidate.
