Two Eastern Conference franchises trying to emerge from NBA play-in status are exchanging valuable backcourt pieces in a multi-team move involving the defending NBA champions ahead of the 2026 NBA trade deadline.
The Chicago Bulls are trading guards Coby White and Mike Conley to the Charlotte Hornets in exchange for guard Collin Sexton, forward Ousmane Dieng and three second-round picks, according to an ESPN report on Wednesday, Feb. 4. The three-team trade also includes multiple transactions after the Bulls acquired Conley in a Feb. 3 deal with the Timberwolves and Dieng came to the Hornets via the Oklahoma City Thunder. Mason Plumlee will go from Charlotte to the Thunder.
White, 25, is slated to be an unrestricted free agent this offseason and joins the Hornets as they’ve surged to seven-straight wins behind a nucleus featuring rookie Kon Knueppel, LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller. White is averaging 18.6 points, 4.7 assists and 3.7 rebounds per game in his seventh season since the Bulls drafted him with the No. 7 overall pick in 2019.
Sexton was Charlotte’s leading scorer off the bench this season and will also be an unrestricted free agent after this season. He is averaging 14.2 points and 3.7 assists per game. Conley and Plumlee could be candidates to be waived by their new teams with both on expiring contracts. Dieng will also be a restricted free agent after this season.
Coby White, Collin Sexton 3-team trade details
Bulls get: Collin Sexton, Ousmane Dieng, 3 second-round picks
Hornets get: Coby White, Mike Conley
Thunder get: Mason Plumlee